Automatic sample analyzer and its components

ABSTRACT

An automatic sample analyzer includes: a pipette, a pipette driving device which moves the pipette to a sample vessel present in a predetermined position to cause the pipette to suck up a sample from the sample vessel, and then moves the pipette to an open vessel provided in another predetermined position to cause the pipette to discharge the sample into the open vessel, and an analyzing section for analyzing the discharged sample, the pipette driving device comprising a vertically movable main arm and an elongated guide arm cantilevered by the main arm and extending horizontally, the guide arm having a smaller flexural rigidity than the main arm, wherein the main arm vertically moves the pipette when the sample is to be sucked up from the sample vessel, and the guide arm guides the pipette to the open vessel and then vertically moves the pipette when the sample is to be discharged into the open vessel.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application is related to Japanese Patent Applications Nos.2001-270543 (filed in Sep. 6, 2001), 2001-272483 (filed in Sep. 7,2001), 2001-272484 (filed in Sep. 7, 2001), 2001-272485 (filed in Sep.7, 2001), 2001-272486 (filed in Sep. 7, 2001), 2001-272487 (filed inSep. 7, 2001), 2001-275375 (filed in Sep. 11, 2001), 2001-275385 (filedin Sep. 11, 2001), 2001-275397 (filed in Sep. 11, 2001), 2001-355093(filed in Nov. 20, 2001), 2001-362979 (filed in Nov. 28, 2001),2002-108113 (filed in Apr. 10, 2002) and 2002-126640 (filed in Apr. 26,2002), whose priorities are claimed under 35 USC §119, the disclosuresof which are incorporated by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] This invention relates to a sample analyzer and its componentsand, particularly, to a highly versatile and small-scale sample analyzerfor analyzing a blood sample, a urine sample and the like.

[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0005] Art hitherto known in relation to this invention is as follows.

[0006] A small-scale automatic analyzer comprising a reaction vesseldisk having a reaction table with its circumferential portionequidistantly divided into a plurality of portions, a plurality ofreaction vessels held by the reaction vessel disk, means fortransporting the respective reaction vessels to a sample dispenser, toan agent dispensing position and to an optically measuring position,means for sucking and dispensing a required amount of a sample into thereaction vessel, and means for optically analyzing the sample in thereaction vessel (see, for example, Japanese Unexamined PatentPublication No. 11-94842 (1999));

[0007] A liquid suction device adapted to move a pipette with respect toan open sample vessel by utilizing the torque of a first motor and movethe pipette with respect to a closed sample vessel by utilizing thetorque of a second motor (see, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,171,280);

[0008] An assembly comprising a longitudinally compressible andextendible hollow cleaning chamber, a pipette which is adapted to beaccommodated in the cleaning chamber when the cleaning chamber isexpanded and to project from the cleaning chamber when the cleaningchamber is compressed, and a lock device for locking the cleaningchamber in an expanded state (see International Publication No.92/22798);

[0009] A pipette comprising a hollow pipe having an end sealed with aseal member, and a suction port provided in a side wall of the pipeadjacent in the vicinity of the end (see, for example, U.S. Pat. No.5,969,272);

[0010] A pipette comprising a thin suction pipe for sucking a liquidsample, and a thin vent pipe for ventilation during the suction, thesuction pipe and the vent pipe being disposed in side-by-side relation(see, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,969,272);

[0011] A pipette cleaning device comprising a pipette generallyvertically disposed with a liquid sample intake port thereof beingoriented downward, a pipette exterior cleaning member having a generallyvertical through-path in which the pipette is loosely fitted, a feedpath for feeding a cleaning liquid into the through-path, and a drainpath for draining a waste cleaning liquid from the through-path, pipetteinterior cleaning means connected to the pipette for feeding thecleaning liquid into the interior of the pipette, a cleaning liquidreservoir chamber connected to the feed path of the cleaning member andthe pipette interior cleaning means, suction means connected to thedrain path of the cleaning member for sucking the waste cleaning liquidfrom the pipette, a waste liquid reservoir chamber connected to thedrain path for storing the waste cleaning liquid sucked out by thesuction means, and driving means for moving up and down at least one ofthe cleaning member and the pipette to change a positional relationshipbetween the cleaning member and the pipette, wherein the through-pathhas a smaller diameter portion spaced a smaller distance from thepipette and a greater diameter portion provided below the smallerdiameter portion and spaced a greater distance from the pipette than thesmaller diameter portion, wherein the feed path and the drain pathcommunicate with the greater diameter portion and the smaller diameterportion, respectively (see, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,592,959); and

[0012] A pipette cleaning device comprising a through-path in which apipette having a suction port provided at a tip end thereof is inserted,a feed path for supplying a cleaning liquid into the through-path, and adrain path for draining a waste cleaning liquid from the through-path(see, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,592,959).

[0013] There have been proposed various types of automatic sampleanalyzers such as automatic blood analyzers. Most of the recentautomatic analyzers have a greater size and a higher operation speed tohandle a multiplicity of samples in a short time. In addition, theoperation of the automatic analyzers is complicated, so that specialoperators should be employed as regular staff. Local hospitals andprivate clinics which do not frequently need clinical analyses currentlycommission a special analysis center to perform the clinical analyses.However, it is impossible to immediately obtain the results of clinicalanalyses in an emergency case. Therefore, there is a demand for a highlyversatile, easy-to-operate and small-scale automatic sample analyzer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0014] In view of the foregoing, it is an object of the presentinvention to simplify the operation of an automatic sample analyzer foreasy handling of the analyzer by doctors and nurses, reduce the size andweight of the analyzer for easy transportation of the analyzer todiagnostic and medical treatment sites, suppress the noises of theanalyzer for a quiet environment, and ensure safe and easy maintenanceand inspection of the analyzer, and energy saving of the analyzer.

[0015] In accordance with the present invention, there is provided anautomatic sample analyzer, which comprises: a pipette; a pipette drivingdevice which moves the pipette to a sample vessel present in apredetermined position to cause the pipette to suck up a sample from thesample vessel, and then moves the pipette to an open vessel provided inanother predetermined position to cause the pipette to discharge thesample into the open vessel; and an analyzing section for analyzing thedischarged sample; the pipette driving device comprising a verticallymovable main arm and an elongated guide arm cantilevered by the main armand extending horizontally; the guide arm having a smaller flexuralrigidity than the main arm; wherein the main arm vertically moves thepipette when the sample is to be sucked up from the sample vessel, andthe guide arm guides the pipette to the open vessel and then verticallymoves the pipette when the sample is to be discharged into the openvessel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016]FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a blood analyzer accordingto this invention;

[0017]FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the blood analyzer accordingto this invention;

[0018]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a container housing unit attachedto the blood analyzer according to this invention;

[0019]FIG. 4 is a front view of a sample setting section of the bloodanalyzer according to this invention;

[0020]FIG. 5 is a front view of a holder claw of the blood analyzeraccording to this invention;

[0021]FIG. 6 is a side view of the holder claw of the blood analyzeraccording to this invention;

[0022]FIG. 7 is a view from an A-A arrow direction in FIG. 4;

[0023]FIG. 8 is a vertical sectional view of a smaller sample vessel ina sample rack according to this invention;

[0024]FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the samplesetting section of the blood analyzer according to this invention;

[0025]FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the samplesetting section of the blood analyzer according to this invention;

[0026]FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the samplesetting section of the blood analyzer according to this invention;

[0027]FIG. 12 is a front view of a detecting section of the bloodanalyzer according to this invention;

[0028]FIG. 13 is a front view of a pipette horizontally driving sectionof the blood analyzer according to this invention;

[0029]FIG. 14 is a front view of a pipette vertically sliding section ofthe blood analyzer according to this invention;

[0030]FIG. 15 is a view from a B-B arrow direction in FIG. 14;

[0031]FIG. 16 is a front view of the pipette vertically sliding sectionof the blood analyzer according to this invention;

[0032]FIG. 17 is a front view of major portions of the pipettevertically sliding section and the pipette horizontally driving sectionaccording to this invention;

[0033]FIG. 18 is a left side view of major portions of the pipettevertically sliding section and the pipette horizontally driving sectionaccording to this invention;

[0034]FIG. 19 is a left side view of a pipette vertically drivingsection according to this invention;

[0035]FIG. 20 is a view from a C-C arrow direction in FIG. 19;

[0036]FIG. 21 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the pipettevertically driving section according to this invention;

[0037]FIG. 22 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the pipettevertically driving section according to this invention;

[0038]FIG. 23 is a partly cut-away front view of major portions of adetector according to this invention;

[0039]FIG. 24 is a partly cut-away side view of major portions of thedetector according to this invention;

[0040] FIGS. 25(a) and 25(b) are a sectional view and a plan view,respectively, of a mixing chamber according to this invention;

[0041]FIG. 26 is a plan view of a cleaner body according to thisinvention;

[0042]FIG. 27 is a view from a D-D arrow direction in FIG. 26;

[0043]FIG. 28 is a sectional view of a negative pressure pump accordingto this invention;

[0044]FIG. 29 is a system diagram of a fluid circuit of the bloodanalyzer according to this invention;

[0045]FIG. 30 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical circuit ofthe blood analyzer according to this invention;

[0046] FIGS. 31(a) and 31(b) are flow charts for explaining theoperation of the blood analyzer according to this invention;

[0047]FIG. 32 is a view from an E-E arrow direction in FIG. 26;

[0048]FIG. 33 is a diagram illustrating a modification of the cleanerbody corresponding to FIG. 27;

[0049]FIG. 34 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the cleanerbody shown in FIG. 27;

[0050]FIG. 35 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the cleanerbody shown in FIG. 27;

[0051]FIG. 36 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the cleanerbody shown in FIG. 27;

[0052]FIG. 37 is a diagram for explaining a positional relationshipbetween a pipette and the cleaner body shown in FIG. 26;

[0053]FIG. 38 is a vertical sectional view of the pipette according tothis invention;

[0054]FIG. 39 is a vertical sectional view illustrating anotherexemplary pipette according to this invention;

[0055]FIG. 40 is a cross sectional view of the pipette shown in FIG. 39;

[0056] FIGS. 41(a) to 41(e) are diagrams for explaining a process forproducing the pipette shown in FIG. 39;

[0057] FIGS. 42(a) to 42(e) are diagrams illustrating screen images tobe successively displayed on the blood analyzer according to thisinvention;

[0058]FIG. 43 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary main screen (to bedisplayed when a whole blood mode is selected);

[0059]FIG. 44 is a diagram illustrating another exemplary main screen(to be displayed when a pre-diluted mode is selected);

[0060]FIG. 45 is a diagram illustrating further another exemplary mainscreen (to be displayed in a measurement impossible state);

[0061]FIG. 46 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary measurement screen(to be displayed immediately after the start of an analysis);

[0062]FIG. 47 is a diagram illustrating another exemplary measurementscreen (to be displayed after completion of WBC measurement);

[0063]FIG. 48 is a diagram illustrating further another exemplarymeasurement screen (to be displayed after completion of RBCmeasurement);

[0064]FIG. 49 is a diagram illustrating still another exemplarymeasurement screen for displaying all analysis items (8 items);

[0065]FIG. 50 is a diagram illustrating further another exemplarymeasurement screen (for displaying statistic data obtained by the WBCmeasurement);

[0066]FIG. 51 is a diagram illustrating still another exemplarymeasurement screen (for displaying statistic data obtained by the RBCand PLT measurement);

[0067]FIG. 52 is a diagram illustrating further another exemplarymeasurement screen (to be displayed when analysis items are selected asdesired);

[0068]FIG. 53 is a circuit diagram of a detection circuit of the bloodanalyzer according to this invention;

[0069]FIG. 54 is a circuit diagram of a Cockcroft power supply employedin the blood analyzer according to this invention;

[0070]FIG. 55 is a diagram of an experimental circuit employed forconfirming the performance of the Cockcroft power supply;

[0071]FIG. 56 is a circuit diagram of a booster circuit employing acommercially available DC-DC converter;

[0072]FIG. 57 is a graph illustrating a relationship between a switchingfrequency and an output voltage;

[0073]FIG. 58 is a graph illustrating a relationship between thecapacitance of capacitors and the output voltage;

[0074]FIG. 59 is a graph illustrating a relationship between a loadelectric current and a power supply voltage;

[0075]FIG. 60 is a diagram of waveforms obtained at terminals in FIG.54;

[0076]FIG. 61 is a diagram illustrating the appearance of the containerhousing unit held in a container holder according to this invention;

[0077]FIG. 62 is a diagram illustrating the construction of a largecontainer employed for the container housing unit according to thisinvention;

[0078]FIG. 63 is a diagram illustrating the construction of a smallcontainer employed for the container housing unit according to thisinvention;

[0079]FIG. 64 is a sectional view of the large container fitted with aninner cap;

[0080]FIG. 65 is a sectional view of the small container fitted with aninner cap;

[0081]FIG. 66 is a perspective view illustrating a state where two largecontainers and one small container are housed in an inner case;

[0082]FIG. 67 is a front view illustrating the state where the two largecontainers and the one small container are housed in the inner case;

[0083]FIG. 68 is a plan view illustrating the state where the two largecontainers and the one small container are housed in the inner case;

[0084]FIG. 69 is a front view of the container holder to which flow pathconnection mechanisms are attached;

[0085]FIG. 70 is a diagram for explaining the construction and operationof a guide mechanism of the flow path connection mechanism;

[0086]FIG. 71 is a diagram for explaining the construction and operationof the guide mechanism of the flow path connection mechanism;

[0087]FIG. 72 is a diagram for explaining the construction and operationof the guide mechanism of the flow path connection mechanism;

[0088]FIG. 73 is a diagram for explaining the construction and operationof the guide mechanism of the flow path connection mechanism;

[0089]FIG. 74 is a central sectional view of the guide mechanism;

[0090]FIG. 75 is a diagram for explaining how biasing members areprovided in the guide mechanism;

[0091]FIG. 76 is a diagram for explaining how a biasing member isprovided in the guide mechanism; and

[0092]FIG. 77 is a diagram for explaining how a biasing member isprovided in the guide mechanism.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0093] The automatic sample analyzer according to this inventioncomprises: a pipette; a pipette driving device which moves the pipetteto a sample vessel present in a predetermined position to cause thepipette to suck up a sample from the sample vessel, and then moves thepipette to an open vessel provided in another predetermined position tocause the pipette to discharge the sample into the open vessel; and ananalyzing section for analyzing the discharged sample; the pipettedriving device comprising a vertically movable main arm and an elongatedguide arm cantilevered by the main arm and extending horizontally; theguide arm having a smaller flexural rigidity than the main arm; whereinthe main arm vertically moves the pipette when the sample is to besucked up from the sample vessel, and the guide arm guides the pipetteto the open vessel and then vertically moves the pipette when the sampleis to be discharged into the open vessel.

[0094] According to this invention, the pipette driving device achievesthe vertical movement of the pipette with respect to the sample vesselby means of the main arm when the sample is to be sucked up, andachieves the vertical movement of the pipette with respect to the openvessel by means of the guide arm. This makes it possible to reduce therigidities of the guide arm and associated components and the weight ofthe pipette driving device.

[0095] The pipette driving device may further comprise: a pipette holderfor holding the pipette; a pipette horizontally driving sectionsupporting the pipette holder in a vertically slidable manner forhorizontally moving the pipette holder; and a pipette vertically drivingsection for vertically moving the main arm and the guide arm; whereinthe pipette holder is fastened to the main arm in a horizontallydisengageable manner; wherein the pipette holder is vertically moved bythe main arm when being fastened to the main arm, and is verticallymoved in engagement with the guide arm when being disengaged from themain arm.

[0096] The pipette holder may have a projection, and the main arm mayhave a recess to be horizontally brought into engagement with theprojection.

[0097] The pipette holder may comprise a roller which is movable alongthe guide arm in engagement with the guide arm.

[0098] The pipette horizontally driving section may comprise a pipettevertically sliding section which supports the pipette holder in avertically slidable manner.

[0099] The sample analyzer may further comprise a quantifying pumpconnected to the pipette for sucking the sample from the sample vesselafter the pipette holder is lowered by the main arm, and discharging thesample after the pipette holder is moved apart from the main arm.

[0100] The sample vessel may be a capped sample vessel.

[0101] The pipette vertically driving section may comprise a steppingmotor as a drive source, wherein a driving electric current to besupplied to the stepping motor for vertically moving the pipette holderis greater when the pipette holder is moved in engagement with the mainarm than when the pipette holder is moved in engagement with the guidearm.

[0102] In accordance with another aspect of this invention, there isprovided a pipette driving device, which comprises: a pipette holder forholding a pipette; a pipette horizontally driving section supporting thepipette holder in a vertically slidable manner for horizontally movingthe pipette holder; a main arm to which the pipette holder is fastenedin a horizontally disengageable manner; a guide arm horizontallyextending from the main arm; and a pipette vertically driving sectionfor vertically moving the main arm and the guide arm; wherein thepipette holder is vertically moved by the main arm when being fastenedto the main arm, and vertically moved in engagement with the guide armwhen being disengaged from the main arm.

[0103] In accordance with further another aspect of this invention,there is provided an automatic sample analyzer, which comprises: apipette; a pipette driving device which moves the pipette to a samplevessel present in a predetermined position to cause the pipette to suckup a sample from the sample vessel, and then moves the pipette to anopen vessel provided in another predetermined position to cause thepipette to discharge the sample into the open vessel; and an analyzingsection for analyzing the discharged sample; the pipette driving devicecomprising a pipette vertically sliding section having a pipette holderfor holding the pipette and a support member supporting the pipetteholder in a vertically slidable manner, a pipette horizontally drivingsection to which the pipette vertically sliding section is attached in areplaceable manner, and a stopper member to be attached to the pipettevertically sliding section for prevention of vertical sliding of thepipette when the pipette vertically sliding section is replaced.

[0104] According to this invention, the movement of the pipette isprevented by the stopper member, so that the pipette vertically slidingsection which holds the pipette can safely and easily be replaced.

[0105] The stopper member may be engaged with the pipette holder and thesupport member in a disengageable manner.

[0106] The pipette vertically sliding section may comprise a cleaningsection for cleaning the pipette, wherein a tip of the pipette isaccommodated in the cleaning section when the stopper member is attachedto the pipette vertically sliding section.

[0107] In accordance with still another aspect of this invention, thereis provided a pipette stopping device for a pipette driving device,which comprises: a pipette vertically sliding section having a pipetteholder for holding a pipette and a support member supporting the pipetteholder in a vertically slidable manner; a pipette horizontally drivingsection to which the pipette vertically sliding section is attached in areplaceable manner; and a stopper member to be attached to the pipettevertically sliding section for prevention of vertical sliding of thepipette when the pipette vertically sliding section is replaced.

[0108] In accordance with further another aspect of this invention,there is provided an automatic sample analyzer, which comprises: ahousing having an opening and housing an analyzer body; a cover foropening and closing the opening; a sample rack vertically disposedinward of the opening for holding a sample vessel; a coupling member fortilting the sample rack toward the opening in association with theopening of the cover, and returning the sample rack in a vertical statein association with the closing of the cover; a resilient member forresiliently supporting the sample vessel set in the sample rack; and ananalyzing section for sampling a sample from the sample vessel andanalyzing the sample.

[0109] According to this invention, the sample rack is tilted toward theopening when the cover is opened, so that the sample vessel can easilybe set in the sample rack. The sample vessel is supported from oppositesides thereof by the resilient member coaxially with the sample rack.Thus, sample vessels having different outer diameters can easily be setin the sample rack.

[0110] The sample rack may have an inner diameter greater than an outerdiameter of the sample vessel for holding a lower portion of the samplevessel, and the resilient member may comprise first and second resilientmembers for resiliently holding a side face of the sample vessel fromopposite sides to support the sample vessel coaxially with the samplerack.

[0111] The sample analyzer may further comprise a support member formoving the first resilient member apart from the second resilient memberin association with the opening of the cover.

[0112] The support member may be supported pivotally about a shaft.

[0113] The sample rack may have a bottom supported pivotally about theshaft, and be pivotal in the same direction as the support member inassociation with the support member.

[0114] The sample analyzer may further comprise a biasing member forbiasing the cover in a cover opening direction, and a button to bebrought into engagement with the cover in a disengageable manner againsta biasing force of the biasing member.

[0115] In accordance with still another aspect of this invention, thereis provided a sample vessel setting device, which comprises: a samplerack having an inner diameter greater than an outer diameter of a samplevessel for holding a lower portion of the sample vessel; and first andsecond resilient members for resiliently holding a side face of thesample vessel from opposite sides to support the sample vessel coaxiallywith the sample rack.

[0116] In accordance with further another aspect of this invention,there is provided an automatic sample analyzer, which comprises: ahousing having an opening and housing an analyzer body; a cover foropening and closing the opening; a sample rack vertically disposedinward of the opening for holding a sample vessel; a coupling member fortilting the sample rack toward the opening in association with theopening of the cover, and returning the sample rack in a vertical statein association with the closing of the cover; a pipette driving devicewhich moves a pipette to the sample vessel present in a predeterminedposition to cause the pipette to suck up a sample from the samplevessel, and then moves the pipette to an open vessel provided in anotherpredetermined position to cause the pipette to discharge the sample intothe open vessel; a locking device for locking the cover when the pipetteis inserted into the sample vessel from an upper side of the sample rackby the pipette driving device; and an analyzing section for analyzingthe sample in the open vessel.

[0117] According to this invention, the locking device prevents themovement of the sample rack during a pipette inserting operation.Therefore, a sample sucking operation can stably be performed, and thepipette and the sample vessel are prevented from being damaged.

[0118] The pipette driving device may comprise a pipette verticallydriving section for inserting the pipette into the sample vessel, andthe locking device may comprise a lock rod extending parallel to thepipette vertically downward from a main arm and a projection pieceprojecting inward from the cover and having an engagement hole to whichthe lock rod is inserted when the pipette is inserted into the samplevessel.

[0119] In accordance with still another aspect of this invention, thereis provided a sample rack locking device, which comprises: a sample rackmovably supported for holding a sample vessel; and a lock member formechanically preventing movement of the sample rack in association witha pipette inserting operation when a pipette is inserted into the samplevessel held by the sample rack.

[0120] In accordance with further another aspect of this invention,there is provided an automatic sample analyzer, which comprises: ananalyzing section comprising a vessel for containing a sample, and adetector for analyzing constituents of the sample contained in thevessel; a waste liquid chamber for storing an analysis waste liquidincluding the sample, a reagent and a diluent; a negative pressure pumpfor applying a negative pressure to the waste liquid chamber to suck theanalysis waste liquid out of at least one of the vessel and thedetector; the negative pressure pump comprising an air pump having anair inlet and an air outlet, an enclosure cover which has first andsecond through-holes and covers the air pump, a suction tube extendingfrom the outside of the enclosure cover to be connected to the air inletthrough the first through-hole, and a silencing exhaust tube connectedto the second through-hole and extending to the outside.

[0121] According to this invention, the negative pressure pump isenclosed in the cover and has the silencing exhaust tube thereby to beeffectively silenced.

[0122] The analyzer may further comprise an elastic support base whichsupports the air pump.

[0123] The analyzer may further comprise a sensor for sensing thenegative pressure applied to the waste liquid chamber, and a controlsection for controlling the negative pressure pump for regulating thenegative pressure within a predetermined pressure range.

[0124] The predetermined pressure range may be 100 to 300 mmHg.

[0125] In accordance with still another aspect of this invention, thereis provided a negative pressure pump, which comprises: an air pumphaving an air inlet and an air outlet; an enclosure cover having firstand second through-holes and covering the air pump; a suction tubeextending from the outside of the enclosure cover to be connected to theair inlet through the first through-hole; and a silencing exhaust tubeconnected to the second through-hole and extending to the outside.

[0126] In accordance with further another aspect of this invention,there is provided a sample analyzer, which comprises: a pipette; aliquid mixing vessel provided in a predetermined position; a samplesupplying section for sucking a sample into the pipette and supplyingthe sample into the liquid mixing vessel; a diluent supplying sectionfor supplying a diluent into the liquid mixing vessel; and a sampleanalyzing section for analyzing the sample diluted with the diluent;wherein the liquid mixing vessel is composed of a chemically resistantresin and has a roughened interior surface.

[0127] The sample supplying section may comprise a pipette drivingdevice which moves the pipette to a sample vessel present in anotherpredetermined position to cause the pipette to suck up the sample fromthe sample vessel, and then moves the pipette to the liquid mixingvessel to cause the pipette to discharge the sample into the liquidmixing vessel. Alternatively, the sample supplying section may comprisea negative pressure supplying section for applying a negative pressureto the liquid mixing vessel to suck up the sample into the liquid mixingvessel. In this case, the sample to be supplied into the liquid mixingvessel is preferably quantified by a quantifying device such as asampling valve.

[0128] A vessel composed of the chemically resistant resin typically hasa smooth interior surface and is highly repellent, i.e., has a lowerwettability. When a sample retained in the bottom of the vessel is mixedwith a diluent supplied into the vessel along the interior surface ofthe vessel, the diluent is liable to remain as water drops on theinterior surface. Therefore, the amount of the diluent to be mixed withthe sample is correspondingly reduced, resulting in inaccurate dilution.Accordingly, the accuracy of the sample analysis is reduced.

[0129] In general, the wettability of a resin surface relies on thechemical composition of the surface, the type and number of functionalgroups exposed to the surface, the acidic property or basic property ofthe surface, the crystallinity of the surface and the roughness of thesurface.

[0130] This invention reveals that the wettability of the interiorsurface of the vessel is improved by roughening the interior surface.That is, the roughening of the interior surface of the vessel preventsthe supplied diluent from remaining on the interior surface of thevessel when the sample is mixed with the diluent, whereby the sample isdiluted at an improved dilution accuracy. Thus, the analysis accuracycan be improved.

[0131] In this invention, a relationship between the surface roughnessand the wettability has been examined on the basis of an experiment, andit has been found that the wettability of the surface does not adverselyinfluence the dilution accuracy if the surface has an arithmetic averagesurface roughness Ra of not smaller than 0.16 μm. It has also been foundthat an upper limit of the roughness Ra is preferably about 0.65 μm.

[0132] The roughening of the interior surface of the vessel is achieved,for example, in the following manner. A round rod having an outerdiameter smaller than the inner diameter of the vessel is attached to achuck of a ball mill, and sand paper lined with a sponge is wrappedaround a distal side portion of the round rod so that the outer diameterof the resulting round rod becomes slightly greater than the innerdiameter of the vessel.

[0133] While the round rod is rotated, the distal end of the round rodis gradually inserted into the vessel, whereby the interior surface ofthe vessel is roughened by the sand paper. Usable as the sand paper is#400 to #1500 sand paper. A buff with a sponge (Model 320 available fromSumitomo 3M Co., Ltd.) may be employed instead of the aforesaid sandpaper.

[0134] The roughness Ra (μm) is herein defined as calculated from thefollowing expression (see JIS B0601), wherein a portion of a roughnesscurve having a reference length m is cut out along an average line andexpressed by y=f(x) with the average line taken as an X-axis and with alongitudinal magnification taken as a Y-axis:$R_{a} = {\frac{1}{m}{\int_{O}^{L}{{{f(x)}}\quad {x}\quad {m:{{Reference}\quad {length}}}}}}$

[0135] The roughness curve is herein defined as a curve obtained byremoving a surface undulation component having a wavelength greater thana predetermined level from a cross section curve by a phase compensationhigh band filter, and the cross section curve is herein defined as acontour of a cross section obtained by perpendicularly cutting a surfaceportion to be examined.

[0136] In the present invention, the liquid mixing vessel is produced byinjection-molding a thermoplastic resin having a chemical resistance.Exemplary materials for the liquid mixing vessel include:

[0137] acryl-acrylonitrile-styrene resins;

[0138] acryl-acrylonitrile-styrene/polyamide alloys;

[0139] acryl-acrylonitrile-styrene/polycarbonate alloys;

[0140] acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene resins;

[0141] acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene/alloys;

[0142] acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene/polyvinyl chloride alloys;

[0143] acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene/polyamide alloys;

[0144] acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene/polybutylene terephthalatealloys;

[0145] acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene/methacrylate resin alloys;

[0146] acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene/polycarbonate alloys;

[0147] acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene/maleimide-styrene resin alloys;

[0148] modified acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene resins;

[0149] acrylonitrile-chlorinated polyethylene-styrene resins;

[0150] acrylonitrile-ethylene propylene rubber-styrene resins;

[0151] acrylonitrile resins;

[0152] acrylonitrile-styrene resins;

[0153] chlorinated polyethylenes;

[0154] ethylene-vinyl alcohol resins;

[0155] crystalline polymers;

[0156] styrene-butadiene resins;

[0157] styrene-maleic acid resins;

[0158] biodegradable resins (based on cellulose acetate);

[0159] biodegradable resins (based on high molecular weightthermoplastic polycaprolactone);

[0160] polytrifluoroethylenes;

[0161] tetrafluoroethylene/ethylene resins;

[0162] tetrafluoroethylene/hexafluoropropylene resins;

[0163] amorphous fluorinated resins;

[0164] tetrafluoroethylene/perfluoroalcoxyethylene resins;

[0165] polytetrafluoroethylenes;

[0166] polyfluorovinylidenes;

[0167] modified polytetrafluoroethylenes;

[0168] tetrafluoroethylene-hexafluoropropylene/fluorovinylidene alloys;

[0169] tetrafluoroethylene/polypropylene alloys;

[0170] polyamide 11;

[0171] polyamide 12;

[0172] polyamide 40;

[0173] polyamide-acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene alloys;

[0174] polyamide-maleimide-styrene resin alloys;

[0175] polyamide-polypropylene alloys

[0176] polyamide6;

[0177] polyamide 6/amorphous polyolefin alloys;

[0178] polyamide 6/special rubber alloys;

[0179] polyamide 6.66;

[0180] polyamide 610;

[0181] polyamide 66;

[0182] modified polyamide 66;

[0183] polyamide 66/thermoplastic elastomer alloys;

[0184] polyamide 6T;

[0185] amorphous polyamide;

[0186] polyamide MXD6;

[0187] polyallylether ketons;

[0188] polyamide imides;

[0189] polyallylates;

[0190] polyarylsulfones;

[0191] thermoplastic polyimides;

[0192] polycyclohexanedimethylene terephthalates;

[0193] high density polyethylenes;

[0194] low density polyethylenes;

[0195] very high molecular weight polyethylenes;

[0196] polyetherether ketones;

[0197] polyether imides;

[0198] polyethylene naphthalates;

[0199] polyether nitrites;

[0200] polyether sulfones;

[0201] polyethylene terephthalates;

[0202] polyvinyl chlorides;

[0203] modified polyvinyl chlorides;

[0204] polyvinyl chloride/acrylonitrile-butadiene alloys;

[0205] polybenzimidazoles;

[0206] polybutylene terephthalates;

[0207] polybutylene terephthalate-acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrenealloys;

[0208] polymethylmethacrylimides;

[0209] polymethylpentenes;

[0210] polycarbonates;

[0211] polycarbonate-acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene alloys;

[0212] polycarbonate-polyimide alloys;

[0213] polycarbonate-polyethylene terephthalate alloys;

[0214] amorphous polyolefins;

[0215] polyacetals;

[0216] polypropylenes;

[0217] polypropylene-polyamide alloys;

[0218] polyphthalamides;

[0219] polysulfones;

[0220] modified polyphenylene ethers;

[0221] modified polyphenylene ether/polyamide alloys;

[0222] modified polyphenylene ether/polybutylene terephthalate alloys;

[0223] modified polyphenylene ether/polyphenylene sulfide alloys;

[0224] modified polyphenylene ether/special rubber alloys;

[0225] polyphenylene sulfides;

[0226] polyphenylene sulfide/polyamide 66 alloys;

[0227] general-purpose polystyrenes;

[0228] high impact resistance polystyrenes;

[0229] intermediate impact resistance polystyrenes;

[0230] modified polystyrenes;

[0231] syndiotactic polystyrenes;

[0232] polythioether sulfones;

[0233] maleimide-styrene resins;

[0234] maleimide-styrene/polyamide alloys;

[0235] methacryl-styrene resins;

[0236] methacryl resins; and

[0237] modified methacryl resins.

[0238] In accordance with still another aspect of this invention, thereis provided a liquid mixing vessel comprising a cylindrical interiorsurface, an interior bottom, and a liquid supply port provided in thevicinity of an upper end thereof for supplying a liquid to the bottomalong the interior surface, the liquid mixing vessel being composed of achemically resistant resin with the interior surface thereof roughened.

[0239] The vessel may have an open top, and may be produced byinjection-molding the chemically resistant resin.

[0240] The interior surface of the vessel preferably has an arithmeticaverage surface roughness Ra of not smaller than 0.16 μm.

[0241] It is further preferred that the interior surface of the vesselhas an arithmetic average surface roughness Ra of 0.16 μm≦Ra≦0.65 μm.

[0242] The chemically resistant resin may be a polyether imide.

[0243] The vessel may further comprise a liquid drain port provided atthe bottom thereof for draining the liquid, and further comprise an airsupply port provided at the bottom thereof for injecting a gas.

[0244] In accordance with further another aspect of this invention,there is provided an automatic sample analyzer, which comprises: aliquid suction tube; a quantifying section for sucking a sample throughthe liquid suction tube and quantifying the sample; and an analyzingsection for analyzing the quantified sample; the liquid suction tubecomprising an elongated pipe, which has a liquid flow path (i.e., asuction path) extending therein parallel to an axis thereof, and agroove provided in an outer surface thereof as extending longitudinallythereof.

[0245] According to this invention, when a cap of a capped vacuum bloodsampling tube (sample vessel) is pieced with the liquid suction tube(pipette), the inside of the blood sampling tube immediatelycommunicates with the atmosphere through the groove by a minimumdistance. Therefore, the sample can smoothly be sucked and quantifiedthrough the liquid suction tube, so that the analysis of the sample canbe performed accurately. In addition, the liquid suction tube has asimplified construction with the groove longitudinally formed in theouter surface of the pipe. Therefore, the groove and the exterior of theliquid suction tube can simultaneously be cleaned.

[0246] In this invention, the groove preferably extends parallel to theaxis of the pipe. Thus, the formation of the groove can easily beachieved.

[0247] The groove preferably has a cross section increasing toward theouter surface of the pipe. Thus, the groove is prevented from beingclogged with rubber scum of the cap and the sample.

[0248] Further, the groove preferably has a cross section having a roundbottom. Thus, the groove is prevented from being clogged with rubberscum of the cap and the sample.

[0249] The liquid flow path (suction path) is preferably offset from theaxis of the pipe. Thus, the groove can be formed in a greater crosssection. Therefore, the cross sectional area, configuration and positionof the groove can more flexibly be determined, so that the ventilatingefficiency and the cleaning efficiency can be improved.

[0250] In accordance with still another aspect of this invention, thereis provided a liquid suction tube comprising an elongated pipe, whichhas a liquid flow path extending therein parallel to an axis thereof anda groove provided in an outer surface thereof as extendinglongitudinally thereof.

[0251] In the liquid suction tube, the groove may extend parallel to theaxis of the pipe.

[0252] The groove may have a cross section increasing toward the outersurface of the pipe.

[0253] The groove may have a cross section having a round bottom.

[0254] The liquid flow path may be offset from the axis of the pipe.

[0255] In accordance with further another aspect of this invention,there is provided an automatic sample analyzer, which comprises: apipette; an analyzing section for analyzing a sample sucked from thepipette; a pipette cleaning device having a cleaner body having apipette through-path through which the pipette is inserted from an inletto an outlet thereof; and a driving device for moving at least one ofthe pipette and the cleaner body; wherein the pipette through-pathprovided in the cleaner body includes a pipette guide hole formed in aninlet portion thereof coaxially therewith and a pipette cleaning holeformed in an outlet portion thereof coaxially therewith; wherein thepipette cleaning hole has first, second and third openings formed in aninterior surface thereof in this order from the inlet to the outlet;wherein the cleaner body comprises a vent path for communication betweenthe first opening and the atmosphere, a cleaning liquid supply pathcommunicating with the third opening, and a cleaning liquid drain pathcommunicating with the second opening.

[0256] According to this invention, the opening communicating with theatmosphere is formed in the interior surface of the pipette through-pathof the pipette cleaning device, so that a cleaning liquid is less liableto remain in the pipette cleaning device for efficient cleaning of thepipette. Thus, the analysis of the sample can be performed accurately.

[0257] The analyzer may further comprise: a supplying section forsupplying the cleaning liquid into the cleaning liquid supply path; asucking section for sucking the cleaning liquid from the cleaning liquiddrain path; and a driver circuit section for driving the supplyingsection and the sucking section; wherein the driving device comprises avertically driving section for vertically moving at least one of thepipette and the cleaner body; wherein the driver circuit section drivesthe supplying section and the sucking section for cleaning the exteriorof the pipette when the pipette is moved up or the cleaner body is moveddown.

[0258] Alternatively, the analyzer may further comprise: a supplyingsection for supplying the cleaning liquid into the pipette; a suckingsection for sucking the cleaning liquid from the cleaning liquid drainpath; and a driver circuit section for driving the supplying section andthe sucking section; wherein the driving device comprises a verticallydriving section for vertically moving at least one of the pipette andthe cleaner body; wherein the driver circuit section drives thesupplying section and the sucking section for cleaning the interior ofthe pipette when a tip of the pipette is present in the pipettethrough-path.

[0259] In accordance with still another aspect of this invention, thereis provided a pipette cleaning device, which comprises: a cleaner bodyhaving a pipette through-path through which a pipette is inserted froman inlet to an outlet thereof; the pipette through-path comprising apipette guide hole formed in an inlet portion thereof coaxiallytherewith and a pipette cleaning hole formed in an outlet portionthereof coaxially therewith; the pipette cleaning hole having first,second and third openings formed in an interior surface thereof in thisorder from the inlet to the outlet; the cleaner body comprising a ventpath for communication between the first opening and the atmosphere, acleaning liquid supply path communicating with the third opening, and acleaning liquid drain path communicating with the second opening.

[0260] The pipette through-path may have a round cross section, and thepipette cleaning hole may include first and second through-holesserially connected in this order from the inlet to the outlet, whereinthe first and second openings are formed in the interior surface of thefirst through-hole, and the third opening is formed in the interiorsurface of the second through-hole, wherein the inner diameter of thepipette through-path increases in the order of the pipette guide hole,the first through-hole and the second through-hole.

[0261] Alternatively, the pipette through-path may have a round crosssection, and the pipette cleaning hole may include first, second andthird through-holes serially connected in this order from the inlet tothe outlet, wherein the first and second openings are formed in theinterior surface of the first through-hole, and the third opening isformed in the interior surface of the third through-hole, wherein thepipette guide hole and the second through-hole have smaller innerdiameters than the first through-hole and the third through-hole.

[0262] In accordance with further another aspect of this invention,there is provided an automatic sample analyzer, which comprises: apipette having a suction port provided at a tip thereof; a quantifyingsection for sucking and quantifying a sample through the pipette; asupplying section for supplying a liquid into the pipette; an analyzingsection for analyzing the quantified sample; and a control section forcontrolling the quantifying section and the supplying section; whereinthe control section controls the supplying section to fill the suctionport of the pipette with the liquid before the suction of the sample.

[0263] According to this invention, the suction port of the pipette isfilled with the liquid before the suction of the sample. Therefore, thesample is prevented from entering the suction port when the pipette isinserted into the sample before the suction. This improves thequantifying accuracy.

[0264] The analyzer may further comprise a cleaner for cleaning thepipette, wherein the suction port is provided in a side wall of thepipette in the vicinity of a tip of the pipette, wherein the cleanercomprises a through-path through which the pipette is inserted, acleaning liquid supply path communicating with the through-path forsupplying a cleaning liquid, and a cleaning liquid drain pathcommunicating with the through-path for draining the cleaning liquid;wherein the cleaner is positioned so that an angle defined between anaxis of the suction port of the pipette and an axis of an inlet of thecleaning liquid drain path is greater than 90 degrees as viewed axiallyof the pipette.

[0265] With this arrangement, the suction port is not influenced by anegative pressure applied from the cleaning liquid drain path when thepipette is cleaned in the cleaner before the suction of the samplethrough the pipette. Therefore, the liquid filled in the suction port ofthe pipette is not sucked out into the cleaning liquid drain path. Thus,the suction port is kept filled with the liquid, so that the sample canaccurately be quantified.

[0266] In accordance with still another aspect of this invention, thereis provided a liquid suction device, which comprises: a pipette having asuction port provided in a side wall thereof in the vicinity of a tipthereof; a sucking section for sucking a liquid through the pipette; anda cleaner for cleaning the pipette; wherein the cleaner comprises athrough-path through which the pipette is inserted, a cleaning liquidsupply path communicating with the through-path for supplying a cleaningliquid, and a cleaning liquid drain path communicating with thethrough-path for draining the cleaning liquid; wherein the cleaner ispositioned so that an angle defined between an axis of the suction portof the pipette and an axis of an inlet of the cleaning liquid drain pathis greater than 90 degrees as viewed axially of the pipette.

[0267] The liquid suction device preferably further comprises a liquidsupplying section for supplying the liquid into the pipette, wherein theliquid supplying section fills the suction port of the pipette with theliquid before the suction of the sample through the pipette.

[0268] In accordance with further another aspect of this invention,there is provided a pipette cleaning device, which comprises a cleanerfor cleaning a pipette having a suction port provided in a side wallthereof in the vicinity of a tip thereof, wherein the cleaner comprisesa through-path through which the pipette is inserted, a cleaning liquidsupply path communicating with the through-path for supplying a cleaningliquid, and a cleaning liquid drain path communicating with thethrough-path for draining the cleaning liquid, wherein the cleaner ispositioned so that an angle defined between an axis of the suction portof the pipette and an axis of an inlet of the cleaning liquid drain pathis greater than 90 degrees as viewed axially of the pipette.

[0269] In accordance with still another aspect of this invention, thereis provided a liquid suction device, which comprises: a pipette having asuction port provided in a tip portion thereof; a sucking section forsucking a first liquid through the pipette; a supplying section forsupplying a second liquid to the pipette; and a control section forcontrolling the sucking section and the supplying section; wherein thecontrol section controls the supplying section to fill the suction portof the pipette with the second liquid before the suction of the firstliquid.

[0270] The liquid suction device may further comprise a cleaner forcleaning the pipette, wherein the suction port is provided in a sidewall of the pipette in the vicinity of a tip of the pipette, wherein thecleaner comprises a through-path through which the pipette is inserted,a cleaning liquid supply path communicating with the through-path forsupplying a cleaning liquid, and a cleaning liquid drain pathcommunicating with the through-path for draining the cleaning liquid,wherein the cleaner is positioned so that an angle defined between anaxis of the suction port of the pipette and an axis of an inlet of thecleaning liquid drain path is greater than 90 degrees as viewed axiallyof the pipette.

[0271] In accordance with further another aspect of this invention,there is provided an automatic sample analyzer operable in a pluralityof analysis modes, the automatic sample analyzer comprising: an analysismode selection button for selecting one of the analysis modes; a startbutton for outputting a command for starting an analytic operation inthe selected analysis mode; a color changing section for changing acolor of the start button; a color change controlling section forcontrolling the color changing section for changing the color of thestart button according to the selected analysis mode; and an analyzingsection for analyzing a sample upon reception of the command from thestart button.

[0272] According to this invention, the color of the start button ischanged according to the analysis mode selected by a user. Thus, theuser can confirm the analysis mode on the basis of the color of thebutton when pressing the start button to start the analysis. Therefore,an erroneous operation attributable to a mistake in mode selection canbe suppressed.

[0273] The analyzer may further comprise a touch panel input/displaysection, wherein the analysis mode selection button and the start buttonare displayed on the input/display section, wherein the color changingsection changes the color of the start button displayed on theinput/display section.

[0274] In accordance with still another aspect of this invention, thereis provided an automatic sample analyzer, which comprises: an inputsection; a display section; an analyzing section; and a control sectionfor controlling the display section and the analyzing section uponreception of an output from the input section; wherein the displaysection selectively displays a main screen which indicates a state wherethe analyzing section is ready to start an analysis and an analysisscreen in which results of the analysis performed by the analyzingsection are displayed; wherein the control section switches the analysisscreen displayed by the display section to the main screen if no inputoperation is performed on the input section during a period from thestart of the display of the analysis results in the analysis screen tothe completion of a predetermined operation performed by the analyzingsection.

[0275] According to this invention, the analysis screen is automaticallyswitched to the main screen if no input operation is performed beforethe completion of the predetermined operation in the analyzer. Thisobviates the need for the user to manually switch the screen.

[0276] In accordance with further another aspect of this invention,there is provided an automatic sample analyzer, which comprises: a touchpanel input/display section; a start button displayed on theinput/display section; an analyzing section for actuating an analyzingdevice upon reception of a command from the displayed start button; amonitoring section for monitoring the analyzing device; and a controlsection for controlling a displaying operation of the input/displaysection; wherein the control section erases the start button on theinput/display section when the monitoring section detects anabnormality.

[0277] In accordance with still another aspect of this invention, thereis provided an automatic sample analyzer, which comprises: an analyzingsection for analyzing a sample; a display section for displaying resultsof the analysis in an analysis screen; and a control section forcontrolling the display section and the analyzing section; wherein thedisplay section selectively displays a first analysis screen in whichresults of analysis of one or more analysis items are displayed in afirst font size and a second analysis screen in which results ofanalysis of a greater number of analysis items than those in the firstanalysis screen are displayed in a second font size smaller than thefirst font size.

[0278] The analyzer may further comprise an input section for optionallyinputting an analysis item to be displayed in the first analysis screen.

[0279] In accordance with further another aspect of this invention,there is provided an automatic sample analyzer, which comprises: anorifice through which a sample passes; a DC power supply; a constantelectric current circuit for supplying a constant electric current tothe sample passing through the orifice from the DC power supply; aresistance-type detecting section for detecting a change in impedance ofthe sample passing through the orifice; and an analyzing section foranalyzing the sample on the basis of the detected impedance change;wherein the DC power supply comprises a Cockcroft power supply.

[0280] The Cockcroft power supply may comprise an oscillator section, aswitching circuit section for intermittently outputting a DC inputvoltage in synchronization with a switching frequency of the oscillatorsection, and a booster section for boosting the voltage outputted fromthe switching circuit section, wherein the switching frequency is 50 to1000 kHz.

[0281] The DC power supply may spontaneously be cooled.

[0282] In accordance with still another aspect of this invention, thereis provided an automatic sample analyzer, which comprises: an analyzingsection; a housing which houses the analyzing section; a containerhousing unit which houses containers for containing liquids to besupplied and drained into/from the analyzing section; a container holderattached to the outside of the housing for holding the container housingunit; wherein the container housing unit comprises two large containers,one small container and a case for housing the large and smallcontainers; wherein the large containers each have a container body forcontaining a fluid, a mouth portion through which the fluid is takeninto and out of the container body, a shoulder portion extendingdownward from the mouth portion, a small container mounting portionprovided on the shoulder portion for receiving the small container, anda container side wall extending downward from the shoulder portion;wherein the small container has a container body for containing a fluid,a mouth portion through which the fluid is taken into and out of thecontainer body, a shoulder portion extending downward from the mouthportion, a container side wall extending downward from the shoulderportion, and a bottom face configured in conformity with the smallcontainer mounting portion; wherein the two large containers arecombined together and fitted in the case so that the container sidewalls extending downward from the small container mounting portions ofthe two large containers are in contact with each other, and the smallcontainer is rested on the small container mounting portions provided onthe shoulder portions above the container side walls of the two largecontainers in contact with each other.

[0283] In accordance with further another aspect of this invention,there is provided a container housing unit, which comprises: two largecontainers; one small container; and a case for housing the large andsmall containers; wherein the large containers each have a containerbody for containing a fluid, a mouth portion through which the fluid istaken into and out of the container body, a shoulder portion extendingdownward from the mouth portion, a small container mounting portionprovided on the shoulder portion for receiving the small container, anda container side wall extending downward from the shoulder portion;wherein the small container has a container body for containing a fluid,a mouth portion through which the fluid is taken into and out of thecontainer body, a shoulder portion extending downward from the mouthportion, a container side wall extending downward from the shoulderportion, and a bottom face configured in conformity with the smallcontainer mounting portion; wherein the two large containers arecombined together and fitted in the case so that the container sidewalls extending downward from the small container mounting portions ofthe two large containers are in contact with each other, and the smallcontainer is rested on the small container mounting portions provided onthe shoulder portions above the container side walls of the two largecontainers in contact with each other.

[0284] The shoulder portions of the two large containers mayrespectively have fixture portions for fixing the smaller container.

[0285] The fixture portions may comprise step portions respectivelyprovided on the shoulder portions of the two large containers, so thatthe small container is fixed with the container side wall thereof heldby the step portions of the two large containers.

[0286] The two large containers may respectively have projections orrecesses formed in the step portions thereof, and the small containermay have recesses or projections formed in the container side wall to beengaged with the projections or the recesses formed in the step portionsof the large containers.

[0287] Alternatively, the two large containers may respectively haveprojections formed in the step portions thereof, and the small containermay have recesses formed in the container side wall to be engaged withthe projections formed in the step portions of the large containers. Thetwo large containers may respectively further have flanges provided onupper portions of the projections thereof to be partly overlapped withthe small container.

[0288] The two large containers may have the same configuration and thesame volume. One of the large containers may contain a diluent, and theother large container may store a waste liquid.

[0289] The small container may contain a hemolyzing agent.

[0290] In accordance with still another aspect of this invention, thereis provided a container mounting method for mounting two largecontainers and one small container in place, the large containers eachhaving a container body for containing a fluid, a mouth portion throughwhich the fluid is taken into and out of the container body, a shoulderportion extending downward from the mouth portion, a small containermounting portion provided on the shoulder portion for receiving thesmall container, and a container side wall extending downward from theshoulder portion, the small container having a container body forcontaining a fluid, a mouth portion through which the fluid is takeninto and out of the container body, and a bottom face configured inconformity with the small container mounting portion, the methodcomprising the steps of: combining the two large containers with thecontainer side walls thereof in contact with each other; and resting thesmall container on the small container mounting portions provided on theshoulder portions above the container side walls of the two largecontainers in contact with each other.

[0291] In accordance with further another aspect of this invention,there is provided a container, which comprises a container body forcontaining a fluid; a mouth portion through which the fluid is takeninto and out of the container; a shoulder portion extending downwardfrom the mouth portion; a container side wall extending downward fromthe shoulder portion; and a fixture portion provided on the shoulderportion for fixing another container.

[0292] The fixture portion may comprise a step portion provided on theshoulder portion, and a projection or a recess formed in the stepportion.

[0293] Alternatively, the step portion may have a projection, and aflange provided on an upper portion of the projection.

[0294] In accordance with still another aspect of this invention, thereis provided a small container, which comprises recesses or projectionsformed in container side wall thereof to be engaged with projections orrecesses respectively provided on step portions of shoulder portions oflarge containers.

[0295] In accordance with further another aspect of this invention,there is provided an automatic sample analyzer, which comprises: ananalyzing section; a housing which houses the analyzing section and hasa supply/drain port for supplying or draining a liquid into/out of theanalyzing section; a container attached to the outside of the housingfor storing the liquid to be supplied or drained into/out of theanalyzing section; and a flow path connection mechanism for connecting amouth portion of the container to the supply/drain port; wherein theflow path connection mechanism comprises a guide mechanism pivotal abouta support shaft, and a nozzle attached to the guide mechanism; whereinthe nozzle has a flow path therein, one end of the flow path beingconnectable to the mouth portion of the container, the other end of theflow path being connectable to the supply/drain port of the housing;wherein the guide mechanism is pivoted about the support shaft to guidethe nozzle into the mouth portion of the container.

[0296] In accordance with still another aspect of this invention, thereis provided a flow path connection mechanism for connecting a mouthportion of a container to a supply/drain port of a sample analyzer, theflow path connection mechanism comprising: a guide mechanism pivotalabout a support shaft; and a nozzle attached to the guide mechanism;wherein the nozzle has a flow path therein, one end of the flow pathbeing connectable to the mouth potion of the container, the other end ofthe flow path being connectable to the supply/drain port of theanalyzer; wherein the guide mechanism is pivoted about the support shaftto guide the nozzle into the mouth portion of the container.

[0297] The support shaft may be attached to a wall of the analyzer.

[0298] The guide mechanism may comprise a first lever, a second leverand a biasing member, wherein the first lever is pivotal at one endthereof about the support shaft, wherein the second lever is pivotalabout a second support shaft provided at the other end of the firstlever, wherein the biasing member is provided between the first leverand the wall of the analyzer for biasing the first lever apart from themouth portion of the container, wherein the nozzle is attached to thesecond lever.

[0299] The guide mechanism may further comprise a third lever supportedabout the support shaft, wherein the third lever is brought intoabutment against an inner cap provided on the mouth portion of thecontainer by pivoting the first lever toward the mouth portion of thecontainer.

[0300] In accordance with further another aspect of this invention,there is provided a container holder, which comprises a support shaft; aguide mechanism pivotal about the support shaft; and a nozzle attachedto the guide mechanism; wherein the nozzle has a flow path therein, oneend of the flow path being connectable to a mouth potion of a container,the other end of the flow path being connectable to a supply/drain portof an analyzer; wherein the guide mechanism is pivoted about the supportshaft to guide the nozzle into the mouth portion of the container.

[0301] In accordance with still another aspect of this invention, thereis provided a container which is a first container used with second andthird containers, which comprises a first body for containing liquidtherein, first neck and shoulder portions formed on a upper portion ofthe first body, the first neck portion having a mouth communicatinginside the first body, and a first projection projecting from the firstneck portion to the first shoulder portion, wherein the second containeris formed in the same configuration as the first container and includesa second body, second neck and shoulder portions and a second projectionwhich correspond to the first container, the third container includes athird body for containing liquid therein, the third body having twoopposite recesses formed on an outside thereof, and a mouth portion anda third shoulder portion which are formed on an upper portion of thethird body, the mouth portion having a mouth communicating inside thethird body, and the first container cooperates with the second containerto hold the third container on the first and second shoulder portionsand fix the third container by engaging the first and second projectionsto the opposite recesses and the third shoulder portion.

[0302] The first projection may include upper and lower portions so thatthe lower portion is fitted into one of the two opposite recesses andthe upper portion overlies the third shoulder.

[0303] The container may further comprise an inner cap fitted in themouth of the first container and an inner suction tube, wherein theinner cap has a first through hole for communicating with the tube and asecond through hole for releasing air from the first body, the tubebeing connected with the first through hole and extending to an innerbottom of the first body.

[0304] The first body may have a substantially rectangular shape.

[0305] The third body may have a substantially flat bottom.

[0306] In accordance with still another aspect of this invention, thereis provided a container which is a third container used with first andsecond containers, which comprising: a third body for containing liquidtherein, the third body having two opposite recesses formed on anoutside thereof, and a mouth portion and a third shoulder portion whichare formed on an upper portion of the third body, the mouth portionhaving a mouth communicating inside the third body wherein the firstcontainer includes a first body for containing liquid therein, firstneck and shoulder portions on a upper portion of the first body, thefirst neck portion having a mouth communicating inside the first body,and a first projection projecting from the first neck portion to thefirst shoulder portion, the second container is formed in the sameconfiguration as the first container and includes a second body, secondneck and shoulder portions and a second projection which correspond tothe first container, and the first container cooperates with the secondcontainer to hold the third container on the first and second shoulderportions and fix the third container by engaging the first and secondprojections to the opposite recesses and the third shoulder portion.

[0307] The container may further comprise an inner cap fitted in themouth of the third container and an inner suction tube, wherein theinner cap has a first through hole for communicating with the tube and asecond through hole for releasing air from the third body, the tubebeing connected with the first through hole and extending to a innerbottom of the third body.

[0308] In accordance with still another aspect of this invention, thereis provided a flow path connection mechanism which comprises: a leverpivotally mounted on a supporting member; and a nozzle pivotally mountedon the lever, the nozzle having proximal and distal ends, wherein theproximal end is connected with an outer suction tube and the distal endis connected with a mouth of a container when the lever pivots.

[0309] The lever may include first, second and third levers, the firstand third lever being pivotally mounted on the supporting member, thesecond lever and the nozzle being pivotally mounted on the first lever,wherein when the first, second and third levers pivot in the samedirection, the first lever leads the distal end of the nozzle to enterthe mouth of the container and the second and third levers engage thecontainer so that the nozzle keeps a connection with the mouth.

[0310] The flow path connection mechanism may further comprise a biasmember for biasing the lever so that the lever leaves the mouth.

[0311] The automatic sample analyzers according to this invention areemployed for analyzing a body fluid (blood, urine, marrow fluid or thelike) of a mammal such as a human.

[0312] An automatic blood analyzer according to one embodiment of thisinvention will hereinafter be described.

[0313] The “automatic” blood analyzer herein means a blood analyzerwhich permits a user to set at least one sample vessel in the analyzer,and is capable of automatically detecting constituents of a blood samplecontained in the sample vessel, calculating values of analysis items,and outputting the results of the calculation.

[0314] The automatic blood analyzer is adapted to analyze a blood sampleof a mammal such as a human.

[0315] Where the blood sample is a human blood sample, exemplaryanalysis items (measurement/analysis items) include the number of redblood cells (RBC), the number of white blood cells (WBC), the amount ofhemoglobin (HGB), the value of hematocrit (HCT), the number of platelets(PLT), a mean corpuscular volume (MCV), a mean corpuscular hemoglobin(MCH), and a mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC).

[0316] As for measurement principles, it is preferred to employ a sheathflow electrical resistance method for the measurement of the RBC and thePLT, an electrical resistance method for the measurement of the WBC, anda calorimetric method for the measurement of the HGB. The blood sampleto be analyzed is obtained by sampling blood from a subject into asample vessel (blood sampling tube). The blood sample may be a wholeblood sample or a sample preliminarily diluted to a predeterminedconcentration.

[0317] Particularly, where blood is sampled from an infant, the amountof the blood sample is small, so that the blood sample is preliminarilydiluted to a predetermined concentration (e.g., 26 times).

[0318] Usable as the sample vessel (blood sampling tube) in theautomatic blood analyzer are common vacuum blood sampling tubes (sealedwith a rubber cap) and common open blood sampling tubes (having an openmouth) each having an outer diameter of 12 to 15 mm and a length of notgreater than 85 mm, and small-volume blood sampling tubes each having anouter diameter of 9 to 11 mm.

[0319] The amount of the blood sample required for the analysis is, forexample, 10 to 15 μL in the case of the whole blood sample, and 250 to350 μL in the case of the pre-diluted blood sample.

[0320] The automatic blood analyzer comprises a main body and acontainer housing unit. Preferably, the main body is housed in ahousing, and the container housing unit is removably attached to a sidewall of the housing. The main body includes a display section providedon a front upper portion of the housing. The display section includes anLCD (liquid crystal display panel) for displaying the results of theanalysis. If a touch panel for inputting analysis conditions is providedintegrally with the LCD, improvement in the operability of the analyzeras well as space saving can be achieved.

[0321] Disposed in the housing are: a sample setting section in whichthe user sets the sample vessel; a detecting section in which the sampleis quantitatively dispensed from the sample vessel and diluted and theblood constituents of the sample are detected; a fluid controllingsection including fluid controlling devices for controlling fluidsrequired for quantitatively dispensing and diluting the sample in thedetecting section; an electrical control board section which houseselectric components for electrically controlling the detecting section,the fluid controlling section and the display section; a power supplysection for transforming an AC voltage inputted from a commercial powersupply into a lower-level DC voltage; and a printer section for printingout the results of the analysis.

[0322] It is preferred to properly lay out these sections inconsideration of ease of operation and maintenance and heat generation.

[0323] Where the sample setting section is disposed in the vicinity of afront face of the housing and an opening/closing cover (sample settingpanel) is provided on the front face of the housing, for example, theuser can easily access the sample setting section to set the samplevessel in the sample setting section by opening the cover. Further, thesample vessel thus set is advantageously protected by the cover.

[0324] Where the detecting section is provided as a unit inward of aright or left side wall of the housing, for example, the detectingsection can easily be accessed for maintenance and inspection byremoving one side plate of the housing. The detecting section preferablyinclude a pipette driving device, a mixing chamber, and a detector forquantitatively dispensing the blood sample from the sample vessel bymeans of a pipette, properly diluting the blood sample and properlyanalyzing the blood constituents.

[0325] The pipette to be herein employed is a pipette generally referredto as “piercer” or “needle” having a sharp tip for piercing the cap ofthe sample vessel.

[0326] Where the fluid controlling section is disposed inward of theother side wall opposite to the detecting section or in back-to-backrelation with respect to the detecting section, the fluid controllingsection can easily be accessed for maintenance and inspection byremoving the other side plate of the housing.

[0327] Since electromagnetic valves and pumps provided in the fluidcontrolling section may cause noises, consideration is given to thesilencing of these components for reducing the noises (including suddennoises) of the entire fluid controlling section, for example, to a levelnot greater than 45 dB. Particularly, a pressure device such as anexternal compressor is not employed as a driving source for a fluidcircuit but, instead, a negative pressure pump is provided in thehousing for easy handling of the blood analyzer. The negative pressurepump, which serves as a negative pressure source, is frequently actuatedin the blood analyzer, requiring special consideration for the silencingthereof.

[0328] The power supply section includes components such as transistorsand diodes which generate heat. Therefore, the power supply section isdisposed in the uppermost portion of the housing, and ventilators (ventholes) are provided in the housing for spontaneous cooling of the powersupply. This arrangement obviates the need for provision of a fan forforcible cooling, and ensures silencing and space saving. With the powersupply section disposed in the uppermost portion, the other componentsare prevented from being adversely affected by the heat generated by thepower supply section.

[0329] The container housing unit is preferably adapted to house atleast two containers for containing a diluent and a hemolyzing agent tobe used in the analyzer body, and a container for storing a waste liquidto be drained from the analyzer body.

[0330] With reference to the attached drawings, this invention willhereinafter be described in detail by way of another embodiment thereof.However, it should be understood that the invention be not limitedthereto.

[0331]FIGS. 1 and 2 are a front perspective view and a rear perspectiveview, respectively, of a blood analyzer according to the embodiment ofthe invention.

[0332] As shown, an analyzer body 1 is housed in a housing 2, andincludes an input/display section 3 provided on a front upper portion ofthe housing 2, a sample setting panel 4 provided on a lower front rightportion of the housing 2 and to be opened and closed when a samplevessel is set, and a button 5 to be pressed for opening the samplesetting panel 4.

[0333] A sample setting section 6 for receiving the sample vessel, and adetecting section 7 for quantitatively dispensing a sample from thesample vessel, diluting the sample and analyzing constituents of thesample are provided inward of a right side plate of the housing 2.

[0334] A fluid controlling section 8 which collectively accommodatesfluid devices such as valves and pumps for controlling fluids for thequantitatively dispensing and dilution of the sample in the detectingsection 7 is provided inward of a left side plate of the housing 2. Anelectrical control board section 9 which accommodates a board mountedwith electrical control devices for electrically controlling thedetecting section 7, the fluid controlling section 8 and the displaysection 3 is provided inward of a rear side plate of the housing 2.

[0335] A power supply section 10 for transforming a commerciallyavailable AC voltage supplied thereto into a DC voltage, and a printersection 11 for printing out the results of the analysis are providedinward of a ceiling plate of the housing 2.

[0336] The right and left side plates, the rear side plate and theceiling plate are removably fastened by screws, so that the respectivesections are easily accessed for maintenance.

[0337] The power supply section 10 which includes a heat generatingcomponent is provided in the uppermost position within the housing 2,and ventilators (vent holes) 12, 13 are provided as surrounding thepower supply section 10 in the housing 2 as shown in FIG. 2. Therefore,air heated by the power supply section 10 is vented through theventilators 12, 13 for spontaneous air cooling without thermallyaffecting the other components of the analyzer. That is, the powersupply section 10 does not require forcible air cooling means such as acooling fan, so that the size reduction and noise reduction of theanalyzer can be achieved.

[0338] As shown in FIG. 3, a container holder 950 is attached to a leftside face of the analyzer body 1, and a container housing unit 100 whichaccommodates containers B1, B3 respectively containing a diluent and ahemolyzing agent and a container B2 for storing waste liquid incombination is held in the container holder 950.

[0339] Construction and Operation of Sample Setting Section

[0340]FIG. 4 is a front view illustrating the construction of the samplesetting section 6. As shown, the sample setting panel 4 is supportedpivotally about a support shaft 14 in an arrow direction S, and biasedin the arrow direction S by a spring not shown. Above the sample settingpanel 4, the button 5 is supported pivotally about a support shaft 15and biased in an arrow direction T by a spring 16.

[0341] A claw 17 provided on an upper edge of the sample setting panel 4is engaged with a lower edge of the button 5 to prevent the samplesetting panel 4 from opening in the arrow direction S. The samplesetting panel 4 is provided with a sample rack 18 for holding a lowerportion of the sample vessel. Two holder claws 19 a, 19 b are providedabove the sample rack 18 for holding and positioning the sample vesseltherebetween. Proximal ends of the holder claws 19 a, 19 b are fixed toa distal end of a projection piece 20 horizontally projecting from thesample setting panel 4 and a support plate 21, respectively.

[0342]FIGS. 5 and 6 are a front view and a side view, respectively, ofthe holder claw 19 a, 19 b. The holder claw 19 a, 19 b has a V-shapednotch 22 provided at its distal end, and a bent portion 23 bent at anangle θ of 30 degrees. As shown in FIG. 7, the holder claws 19 a, 19 bare symmetrically disposed with respect to a center line of the samplerack 18. As will be described later, a sample vessel SP1 set in thesample rack 18 is resiliently held between the holder claws 19 a and 19b.

[0343] The holder claws 19 a, 19 b are each formed of a resilient plate(e.g., a polyacetal resin plate having a thickness of 0.8 mm). The angleθ of the bent portions 23 is resiliently changed to accommodatevariations in the outer diameter of the sample vessel SP1, so thatsample vessels SP1 having different outer diameters (e.g., 12 to 15 mm)can be held coaxially in the sample rack 18.

[0344]FIG. 8 is a sectional view illustrating a state where a smallersample vessel SP2 for sampling a smaller amount of a blood sample ismounted in the sample rack 18. In this case, the outer diameter andheight of the sample vessel SP2 are smaller than those of the samplevessel SP1, so that an adaptor AD is inserted in the sample rack 18 forcomplement.

[0345] As shown in FIG. 4, a sensor (photo-interrupter) J1 for detectingthe opening and closing of the sample setting panel 4, a sensor (limitswitch) J2 for sensing whether a sample vessel is set in the sample rack18, and a sensor (limit switch) J3 for sensing whether the adaptor AD isused are provided in the sample setting section 6.

[0346] In this arrangement, the button 5 is slightly pivoted in adirection opposite to the arrow direction T in FIG. 4 and the lower edgeof the button 5 is disengaged from the claw 17, when a user presses anupper end portion of the button 5. Thus, the sample setting panel 4 ispivoted about the support shaft 14 in the arrow direction S thereby tobe opened until a projection piece 4 a of the sample setting panel 4 isbrought into abutment against the support plate 21 as shown in FIG. 9.In this state, the user inserts the sample vessel SP1 into the samplerack 18 as shown in FIG. 10.

[0347] When the sample setting panel 4 is thereafter closed as shown inFIG. 11, the claw 17 is engaged with the lower edge of the button 5, sothat the sample setting panel 4 is kept closed. At this time, the samplevessel SP1 is held between the holder claws 19 a and 19 b coaxially withthe sample rack 18. The button 5 has a relatively large surface area (60mm×70 mm). Therefore, the user can operate the button 5 while holdingthe sample vessel.

[0348] Construction and Operation of Detecting Section

[0349] As shown in FIG. 12, the detecting section 7 includes a pipettehorizontally driving section 200, a pipette vertically sliding section300, a pipette vertically driving section 400, a mixing chamber 70 and adetector 50.

[0350] Pipette Horizontally Driving Section

[0351]FIG. 13 is a front view of the pipette horizontally drivingsection 200.

[0352] As shown, a driven pulley 202 and a driving pulley 203 arerotatably provided on a support plate 201, and a timing belt 204 isstretched between the pulleys 202 and 203. The driving pulley 203 isdriven by a pipette back and forth motor (stepping motor) 205 providedon the rear side of the support plate 201. A guide rail 206 is providedhorizontally on an upper portion of the support plate 201, and a guideshaft 207 is provided horizontally on a lower portion of the supportplate 201. A vertically elongated horizontal movement plate 208 has anupper edge fitted on the guide rail 206, a lower edge engaged with asliding member 209 slidable along the guide shaft 207, and a couplingmember 210 projecting from the rear side thereof to be coupled with thetiming belt 204. The horizontal movement plate 208 has screw holes 211,212 for fixing the pipette vertically sliding member 300.

[0353] With this arrangement, the horizontal movement plate 208 ishorizontally movable by the driving of the motor 205. A pipette frontposition sensor (photo-interrupter) J5 for detecting the position of thehorizontal movement plate 208 is provided on the support plate 201.

[0354] Pipette Vertically Sliding Section

[0355]FIG. 14 is a front view of the pipette vertically sliding section300, and FIG. 15 is a view from a B-B arrow direction in FIG. 14. Asshown, the pipette vertically sliding section 300 includes a guide shaft302 vertically supported by a support member 301, and a pipette holder303 slidable on the guide shaft 302 with a pipette PT vertically heldtherein. The support member 301 includes a longitudinally elongatedguide groove 304. A guide rod 305 horizontally projecting from thepipette holder 303 is inserted in the guide groove 304 so as to beguided by the guide groove 304, whereby the pipette holder 303 canstably be slid vertically on the guide shaft 302. The support member 301has notches 306, 307 through which the screws extend for fixing thesupport member 301 to the horizontal movement plate 208 shown in FIG.13.

[0356] Further, the pipette holder 303 has a guide roller 308, which isengaged with a guide arm (to be described later) of the pipettevertically driving section 400 to cooperate with the guide arm formoving the pipette holder 303 vertically up and down.

[0357] A cleaner (pipette cleaning device) S in which the pipette PT isinserted for cleaning the exterior and interior of the pipette PT isprovided on a lower portion of the support member 301. When the pipetteholder 303 is located at the uppermost position of the support member301 (in a position shown in FIG. 14), a sharp distal tip of the pipettePT is inserted in the cleaner S.

[0358] Liquid supply/drain nipples 309, 310 and 311 fixed to a lowerportion of the support member 301 are connected to a proximal end of thepipette PT and ports of the cleaner S via tubes 312, 313 and 314,respectively.

[0359] A screw 315 fixed to the pipette holder 303 and a screw 316 fixedto a projection 317 of the support member 301 are provided for fixing aspacer plate 318 as shown in FIG. 16. The spacer 318 fixed as shown inFIG. 16 fixes the pipette holder 303 in the uppermost position of thesupport member 301 for preventing the sharp tip of the pipette PT frombeing withdrawn from the cleaner S.

[0360] The pipette vertically sliding section 300 is first rested on thehorizontal movement plate 208 shown in FIG. 13 with the spacer 318 fixedthereto and, after screws 319, 320 (FIG. 17) are screwed into the screwholes 211, 212 through the notches 306, 307, the spacer 318 is removedby unscrewing the screws 315,316. Thus, the pipette vertically slidingsection 300 can safely be mounted on the pipette horizontally drivingsection 200 with no possibility that the user is injured by the tip ofthe pipette PT. Where a trouble such as clogging occurs in the pipettePT, the pipette vertically sliding section 300 is entirely replaced. Atthis time, the spacer 318 is employed to safely perform a replacingoperation.

[0361]FIGS. 17 and 18 are a front view and a left side view,respectively, illustrating a state where the pipette vertically slidingsection 300 is mounted on the pipette horizontally driving section 200.As shown, an end 303a of the pipette holder 303 of the pipettevertically sliding section 300 has a cross shape in section so as to beinserted in a main arm (to be described later) of the pipette verticallydriving section 400.

[0362] Pipette Vertically Driving Section

[0363]FIG. 19 is a left side view of the pipette vertically drivingsection 400, and FIG. 20 is a view from a C-C arrow direction in FIG.19.

[0364] As shown in FIG. 19, the pipette vertically driving section 400includes an elongated main arm 401 extending horizontally, a threadshaft 402 extending perpendicularly through the main arm 401 androtatably supported by a support plate 412, a nut 403 fixed to the mainarm 401 in threading engagement with the thread shaft 402, a slide rail404 a disposed parallel to the thread shaft 402 on the support plate412, a sliding member 404 b provided at a left end of the main arm 401in slidable engagement with the slide rail 404 a for vertically guidingthe main arm 401, and a pipette up and down motor (stepping motor) 405fixed to the support plate 412.

[0365] Pulleys 406 and 407 are fixed to an upper end of the thread shaft402 and an output shaft of the motor 405, respectively, and a timingbelt 408 is stretched between the pulleys 406 and 407. Therefore, themain arm 401 is movable vertically up and down by the driving of themotor 405. A pipette top position sensor J4 for sensing that the mainarm 401 reaches the uppermost position is provided on the support plate412.

[0366] A guide arm 409 is horizontally fixed to a right end of the mainarm 401 in engagement with the guide roller 308 of the pipettevertically sliding section 300 (FIG. 18). The main arm 401 has across-shaped recess 410 provided in a surface thereof opposed to thecross-shaped end 303 a of the pipette holder 303 (FIGS. 17 and 18). Asshown in FIG. 20, the end 303 a of the pipette holder 303 is removablyinserted in an arrow direction X into the recess 410 with a properclearance. In this case, a force for the vertical movement of the mainarm is directly transmitted to the pipette holder 303. A lock rod 411extends vertically through a middle portion of the main arm 401 with anupper end bent portion thereof in engagement with the main arm 401. Inthis embodiment, the main arm 401 is composed of an aluminum alloy(A5052) and has a section of 20 mm×26 mm and a length of 108 mm. Theguide arm 409 is prepared by folding a 0.5-mm thick steel plate (SECC)into an open square shape in section, and has a length of 180 mm.

[0367] Operations of Pipette Horizontally Driving Section, PipetteVertically Sliding Section and Pipette Vertically Driving Section

[0368] When the blood sample is quantitatively dispensed out of thesample vessel SP1 set in the sample rack 18 in the sample settingsection 6, the pipette back and forth motor 205 is driven to insert theend 303 a of the pipette holder 303 into the recess 410 of the main arm401 as shown in FIG. 20, and the pipette up and down motor 405 is drivento move up the main arm 401 until the actuation of the pipette topposition sensor J4 as shown in FIG. 21. With the end 303 a fitted in therecess 410, the centers of the thread shaft 402, the pipette PT and thesample vessel SP1 are present in the same plane, and a moment exerted onthe pipette PT by the thread shaft 402 is minimized. Therefore, thetorque of the motor 405 is efficiently converted into a pipette loweringforce, when the pipette PT is lowered by the motor 405.

[0369] Then, the motor 405 is driven to lower the pipette PT through athrough-hole 26 a of a sample vessel lift preventing stopper 26 as shownin FIG. 21, and to allow the pipette PT to virtually reach the bottom ofthe sample vessel SP1 as shown in FIG. 22. Where the sample vessel SP1is a vacuum blood sampling tube with a rubber cap, it is necessary topiece the rubber cap with the tip of the pipette PT. Therefore, an inputelectric current greater than usual is supplied to the motor 405 from adriver circuit section (to be described later) to provide a greateroutput torque when the pipette PT is lowered to pierce through therubber cap.

[0370] When the pipette PT is lowered, the lock rod 411 is brought intoengagement with a lock hole 25 provided in a projection piece 24projecting inward of the sample setting panel 4 as shown in FIG. 22, sothat the pipette PT and the sample vessel SP1 are prevented from beingdamaged when the sample setting panel 4 is inadvertently opened. Wherethe smaller sample vessel SP2 is set in the sample rack 18 with theintervention of the adaptor AD as shown in FIG. 8, the sample adaptordetecting sensor J3 is actuated. Therefore, a control section 500 to bedescribed later controls a lowering distance of the pipette PT to allowthe tip of the pipette PT to virtually reach the bottom of the smallersample vessel SP2.

[0371] Upon completion of intake of the blood sample, the pipette PTreturns to the position shown in FIG. 21. Although there would be apossibility that the pipette PT is lifted together with the rubber capsticking thereto when the pipette PT is removed from the sample vesselSP1, the stopper 26 prevents the rubber cap from being lifted together.

[0372] When the pipette PT is returned to the position shown in FIG. 21,the pipette back and forth motor 205 is driven to withdraw the end 303 aof the pipette holder 303 from the recess 410 of the main arm 401 in adirection opposite to the arrow direction X in FIG. 20, and then movethe pipette PT to an upper side of the mixing chamber 70 and thedetector 50 with the guide roller 308 rotated in contact with the innersurface of the guide arm 409. Then, the pipette up and down motor 405 isdriven, whereby a driving force thereof is transmitted to the pipetteholder 303 through the main arm 401, the guide arm 409 and the guideroller 308. Thus, the pipette PT is lowered and then lifted.

[0373] Construction of Detector

[0374]FIGS. 23 and 24 are a partly cut-away front view and a partlycut-away side view, respectively, of major portions of the detector 50.The detector 50 is composed of a transparent polysulfone resin. Asshown, the detector 50 includes first, second and third containerchambers 51, 52, 53 for containing liquids for the analysis. The firstcontainer chamber 51 has an upper portion open to the atmosphere. Thefirst container chamber 51 and the third container chamber 53communicate with each other.

[0375] A ruby orifice disk 54 is provided as a partition between thefirst container chamber 51 and the second container chamber 52, and thedisk 54 has an orifice 55 having a diameter of 80 μm. The secondcontainer chamber 52 is provided with a jet nozzle 56. The jet nozzle 56is supported by a nozzle support member 57 and an electrode 58, andextends through the second container chamber 52 with its distal endfacing toward the orifice 55 and with its tail end communicating with aliquid supply nipple 59. The electrode 58 is composed of a stainlesssteel, and exposed to the inside of the second container chamber 52.

[0376] The detector 50 further includes nozzles 60, 61 for supplying thediluent and the hemolyzing agent to the first container chamber 51,nipples 63, 64 for supplying and draining liquid into/from the secondcontainer chamber 52, and a liquid draining nipple 65 and an air bubbleinjecting nipple 66 provided in the bottom of the third containerchamber 53.

[0377] As shown in FIG. 24, the detector 50 further includes a platinumelectrode 67 projecting in the first container chamber 51, and a lightemitting diode 68 and a photodiode 69 respectively disposed on oppositesides of the third container chamber 53. The light emitting diode 68emits light having a wavelength of 555 nm, and the photodiode 69 detectsthe intensity of the light transmitting through the third containerchamber 53. The light emitting diode 68 and the photodiode 69 areemployed for measurement of a hemoglobin amount (HGB). The electrodes67, 58 are employed for measuring a change in the impedance of theliquid passing through the orifice 55 for counting the numbers of whiteblood cells, red blood cells and platelets.

[0378] As will be described later, the first and third containerchambers 51, 53 are employed for preparation of a white blood cellmeasurement specimen, and the first and second container chambers 51, 52are employed for counting the numbers of the white blood cells, theplatelets and the red blood cells.

[0379] Construction of Mixing Chamber (Container for Mixing Liquids)

[0380] FIGS. 25(a) and 25(b) are a vertical sectional view and a planview, respectively, of the mixing chamber 70. The mixing chamber 70includes a container portion 71 for mixing the blood sample. Thecontainer portion 71 has a cylindrical shape with its top open to theatmosphere. A diluent supplying nipple 72 is provided in an upperportion of the container portion 71. A nipple 73 for discharging aliquid mixture, a nipple 74 for draining residual liquid from thecontainer portion 71, and a nipple 75 for injecting air bubbles (air)for agitating the liquid in the container portion 71 are provided in thebottom of the container chamber 71.

[0381] The nipples 72, 73, 74, 75 are respectively connected to a liquidsupply port 72 a, liquid discharge ports 73 a, 74 a, and an air supplyport 75 a, which communicate with the container portion 71. The liquidsupply port 72 a opens so as to supply the liquid from the upper portionalong the inner circumferential surface of the container portion 71.Where the diluent is supplied into the mixing chamber 70 as will bedescribed later for cleaning the chamber, the interior surface of thecontainer portion 71 is efficiently cleaned with the diluent ejectedfrom the liquid supply port 72 a.

[0382] The mixing chamber 70 is produced by injection-molding athermoplastic resin such as a polyether amide having a chemicalresistance. The interior surface of the container portion 71 has beenroughened to an arithmetic average surface roughness Ra of 0.29 μm so asto be imparted with a sufficiently high wettability with respect to thediluent. Therefore, the diluent injected from the liquid supply port 72a is supplied into the bottom of the container portion 71 withoutresiding as liquid drops on the interior surface, so that the bloodsample preliminarily supplied can accurately be diluted predeterminedtimes.

[0383] Constructions and Operations of Pipette and Cleaner (PipetteCleaning Device)

[0384]FIG. 38 is a vertical sectional view of the pipette PT. Thepipette PT is a stainless steel pipe, which has a suction flow path 31coaxially extending therein, and a distal tip sharply cut at an angle αof 30 degrees. Where the sample vessel SP1 with the cap is employed, thecap is pierced with the distal tip. A distal end of the suction flowpath 31 is sealed with a stainless steel seal 33, and a suction port 32is open in a side wall of the pipette PT with its axis extendingperpendicularly to the axis of the pipette PT.

[0385]FIG. 26 is a plan view of the cleaner body 80. FIGS. 27 and 32 areviews from a D-D arrow direction and from an E-E arrow direction,respectively. As shown, a cleaner body 80 has a pipette through-hole 81centrally extending therethrough, so that the pipette PT is verticallyinserted in the pipette through-hole 81 from an inlet 81 a to an outlet81 b. The pipette through-hole 81 has a round cross section.

[0386] The pipette through-hole 81 includes a pipette guide hole 82, afirst through-hole 83 and a second through-hole 84 serially andcoaxially disposed in this order from the inlet 81 a to the outlet 81 b.The pipette guide hole 82 has an inner diameter slightly greater thanthe outer diameter of the pipette PT, and serves to guide the pipette PTso as to align the axis of the pipette PT with the axes of the first andsecond through-holes 83, 84.

[0387] On the other hand, the first and second through-holes 83, 84constitute a pipette cleaning hole for cleaning the pipette. A firstopening 85 a and a second opening 85 b are formed in the interiorsurface of the first through-hole 83 on an inlet side and on an outletside, respectively. A third opening 85 c is formed in the interiorsurface of the second through-hole 84.

[0388] The cleaner body 80 includes a vent path 86 a for opening thefirst opening 85 a to the atmosphere (to the outside of the cleaner body80), a cleaning liquid drain path 87 a allowing communication betweenthe second opening 85 b and a cleaning liquid draining nipple 87, and acleaning liquid supply path 88 a allowing communication between thethird opening 85 c and a cleaning liquid supplying nipple 88.

[0389] The pipette guide hole 82, the first through-hole 83 and thesecond through-hole 84 respectively have inner diameters D1, D2 and D3which are set at 105%, 115% and 200% of the outer diameter of thepipette PT. Where the pipette PT has an outer diameter of 2.0 mm, forexample, D1=2.1 mm, D2=2.3 mm and D3=4.0 mm.

[0390] When the cleaning liquid (the diluent in this embodiment) issupplied from the nipple 88 into the second through-hole 84 and suckedfrom the nipple 87 with the pipette PT extending from the upper side tothe lower side through the pipette through-hole 81 as shown in FIG. 34,the cleaning liquid flows in uniform contact with the exterior of thepipette PT from the second through-hole 84 into the first through-hole83, and drained from the nipple 87.

[0391] Therefore, when the pipette PT is moved up in the arrow directionZ in this state, the blood sample and the like adhering on the exterior(outer circumferential surface) of the pipette PT is washed away withthe cleaning liquid and drained.

[0392] At this time, a part of the cleaning liquid adheres on thepipette PT, and is moved upper than the second opening 85 b as thepipette PT is moved up. Accordingly, there would be a possibility thatthe cleaning liquid remains in an upper portion of the firstthrough-hole 83. However, the upper portion of the first through-hole 83is kept at the atmospheric pressure by the effect of the first opening85 a provided in the first through-hole 83, so that the cleaning liquidis sucked back into the second opening 85 b by a pressure differencebetween the first opening 85 a and the second opening 85 b, and drainedinto the nipple 87 through the second opening 85 b. Therefore, thecleaning liquid flowing into the first through-hole 83 from the secondthrough-hole 84 does not remain in the upper portion of the firstthrough-hole 83. Thus, the exterior of the pipette PT can effectively becleaned.

[0393] When the cleaning liquid is supplied from the proximal end of thepipette PT to the distal suction port 32 with the tip of the pipette PTkept within the first through-hole 83 and with a negative pressure beingapplied from the nipple 87 as shown in FIG. 36, the cleaning liquidhaving passed through the suction flow path 31 of the pipette PT isdrained from the suction port 32 of the pipette PT, and sucked into thenipple 87 through the second opening 85 b but not drained into thesecond through-hole 84. Thus, the interior of the pipette PT (i.e., theinner surfaces of the suction flow path 31 and the suction port 32 ofthe pipette PT) is cleaned.

[0394] A positional relationship between the cleaner body 80 and thepipette PT as seen axially of the pipette PT is shown in FIG. 37. Asshown, the pipette PT is positioned with respect to the cleaner body 80with the axis of the suction port 32 and the axis of the opening 85 b ofthe cleaning liquid drain path 87 a forming an angle θ of greater than90 degrees. This is because the following phenomena have experimentallybeen observed.

[0395] (1) If θ≦90 degrees, the diluent (to be described later) filledin the suction flow path 31 and the suction port 32 of the pipette PT issucked out by the negative pressure in the cleaning liquid drain path 87a and a void occurs in the suction port when the exterior or interior ofthe pipette PT is cleaned. Therefore, the blood sample is introducedinto the void in the suction port 32 before the blood sample is suckedto be quantified by means of the pipette PT. Accordingly, the bloodsample is sucked into the pipette PT in an amount greater by thepreviously introduced amount than an intended amount, resulting inerroneous quantifying.

[0396] (2) If θ>90 degrees, the negative pressure in the cleaning liquiddrain path 87 a exerts no direct effect on the suction port 32.Therefore, accurate quantifying can be ensured because no void occurs inthe suction port 32 when the exterior or interior of the pipette PT iscleaned.

[0397]FIG. 33 is a diagram illustrating the construction of a cleanerbody 80 a as a modification of the cleaner body 80 corresponding to FIG.27.

[0398] The cleaner body 80 a has a pipette through-hole 81 whichincludes a pipette guide hole 82, and first, second and thirdthrough-holes 83 a, 89, 84 serially and coaxially provided in this orderfrom an inlet to an outlet.

[0399] That is, the first and second through-holes 83 a, 89 correspondto the first through-hole 83 in FIG. 27, and the third through-hole 84corresponds to the second through-hole 84 in FIG. 27. As shown in FIG.33, the second through-hole 89 has substantially the same inner diameteras the pipette guide hole 82, and the first through-hole 83 a has aninner diameter which is greater than that of the second through-hole 89and substantially equal to that of the third through-hole 84.

[0400] Otherwise, the cleaner body 80 a has substantially the sameconstruction as the cleaner body 80 (FIG. 27), and the pipette PT can becleaned in the cleaner body 80 a in the same manner as in the cleanerbody 80.

[0401] Another Exemplary Pipette

[0402]FIG. 39 is a vertical sectional view illustrating anotherexemplary pipette PTa to be employed instead of the pipette PT (FIG. 38)where a vacuum blood sampling tube (sealed with a rubber cap) is used asthe sample vessel SP1 or SP2, and FIG. 40 is a cross sectional view ofthe pipette PTa.

[0403] As shown, the pipette PTa is a stainless steel pipe, which has asuction flow path (fluid path) 601 extending therein in parallel andoffset relation with respect to the axis thereof, and a distal tipsharply cut at an angle α of 30 degrees, so that the cap of the samplevessel SP1 or SP2 can be pierced with the distal tip. A distal endportion of the suction flow path 601 is sealed with a stainless steelseal 603. The pipette PTa has a suction port 602 open in a side wallthereof. The suction port 602 has an axis extending perpendicularly tothe axis of the pipette PTa, and communicates with the suction flow path601.

[0404] The pipette PTa has a groove 604 provided in an outer surfacethereof as extending parallel to the axis thereof. The groove 604 servesto let the internal pressure of the sample vessel back to theatmospheric pressure immediately after the cap is pierced with thepipette PTa. This ensures smooth sucking operation of the pipette PTaand improves the quantifying accuracy. The groove 604 has a generallyU-shaped cross section having a wider width toward the outer peripheryof the pipette and a round bottom. With such a cross section, the groove604 is free from clogging with rubber scum and blood, and efficientlycleaned in the cleaner (FIG. 27).

[0405] Since the axis of the suction flow path 601 is offset from theaxis of the pipette PTa, the groove 604 can be formed in a greater crosssection. Therefore, the cross sectional area and configuration of thegroove 604 can more flexibly be determined for higher efficiency.

[0406] FIGS. 41(a) to 41(e ) are diagrams for explaining a process forproducing the pipette PTa shown in FIG. 39.

[0407] First, a commercially available pipe 610 of stainless steel(SUS316) having an outer diameter of 1.6 mm and an inner diameter of 0.5mm is cut into a square block 612 having a square cross section with anedge length S1 of 1 mm and with a hole 601 spaced by a distance S2 of0.65 mm from an edge thereof as shown in FIG. 41(a).

[0408] Then, as shown in FIG. 41(b), a trench 614 having a width W of 1mm and a depth D of 1 mm is formed axially in a commercially availableround rod 613 of stainless steel (SUS316) having an outer diameter of2.1 mm.

[0409] Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 41(c), the square block 612 isfitted in the trench 614 of the round rod 613, and boundaries 615between the square block 612 and the round rod 613 are laser-welded tocombine the square block 612 and the round rod 613.

[0410] Then, projecting surface portions of the square block is polishedaway to provide a round pipe having an outer diameter of 2.1 mm with thehole 601 offset by a distance S3 of 0.4 mm from the axis of the pipe asshown in FIG. 41(d).

[0411] In turn, a U-shaped groove 604 having a maximum width GW of 0.5mm and a depth Gd of 1 mm is formed in the round pipe by milling asshown in FIG. 41(e). The cross sectional configuration and position ofthe groove 604 are determined so as to ensure the most effectiveventilation and the most efficient cleaning of the groove 604.

[0412] Then, an end of the round pipe is cut at an angle α of 30degrees, and an end of the hole 601 is sealed with a stainless seal 603by way of welding or silver alloy brazing as shown in FIG. 39.Thereafter, a suction port 602 is formed in a side wall of the roundpipe.

[0413] Thus, the pipette PTa is produced.

[0414] Construction and Operation of Negative Pressure Pump

[0415]FIG. 28 is a partly cut-away front view illustrating theconstruction of a negative pressure pump P1 (to be describe later)provided in the flow control section 8 (FIG. 1). An air pump 90 ismounted on a rubber base seat 91 and enclosed by a resin case 92. Asuction tube 93 of the air pump 90 extends to the outside through anupper through-hole of the case 92, and an open end of an exhaust tube 94of the air pump 90 is fixed in the case 92. A nipple 95 is fitted inanother upper through-hole of the case 92, and a silencer exhaust tube96 is connected to the nipple 95.

[0416] With this arrangement, vibrations of the air pump 90 are absorbedby the rubber base seat 91, and noises of the air pump 90 are insulatedby the enclosure case 90. Exhaust noises are silenced by the silencerexhaust tube 96. Thus, the efficient noise reduction of the negativepressure pump P1 can be achieved. The inner diameter and length of thetube 96 are properly determined on the basis of an experiment performedfor examination of a silencing effect. In this embodiment, a DC air pumphaving a rated voltage of DC 12V and a rated air output of 2L/min isemployed as the air pump 90, and a silicone tube having an outerdiameter of 6.5 mm, an inner diameter of 3 mm and a length of 300 mm isemployed as the tube 96.

[0417] Constructions Fluid Circuit and Electrical Circuit

[0418]FIG. 29 is a system diagram illustrating a fluid circuit accordingto the embodiment of the invention. In the fluid circuit, fluid devicesare connected by fluid supply tubes. The fluid circuit includes asyringe pump SR1 for quantitatively dispensing the sample from thepipette PT, a syringe pump SR2 for supplying the diluent into the mixingchamber 70 and the detector 50 from the diluent container B1, a syringepump SR3 for supplying the hemolyzing agent into the detector 50 fromthe hemolyzing agent container B3, a waste liquid chamber WC for storingthe waste liquid drained from the mixing chamber 70 and the detector 50,the negative pressure pump P1 for applying a negative pressure to thewaste liquid chamber WC, a liquid draining pump P2 for draining thewaste liquid from the waste liquid chamber WC to the waste liquidcontainer B2, an air pump P3 for supplying air into the mixing chamber70 and the detector 50 for agitation, and electromagnetic valves SV1 toSV4, SV7 to SV14, SV16, SV17 and SV20 to SV25 for opening and closingflow paths in the fluid circuit. The syringe pump SR1 is driven by asyringe pump motor STM4, and the syringe pumps SR2, SR3 are driven by asyringe pump motor STM5. Stepping motors may be employed as the syringemotors STM4, STM5.

[0419] A preferred example of the diluent is CELLPACK available formSysmex Corporation, and a preferred example of the hemolyzing agent isSTROMATOLYSER WH available from Sysmex Corporation.

[0420]FIG. 30 is a block diagram illustrating the electrical circuitaccording to the embodiment of the invention. The power supply section10 transforms a voltage supplied from a commercial AC power supply intoa DC voltage (12V), which is supplied to the control section 500 and thedriver circuit section 501. The control section 500 is comprised of amicroprocessor including a CPU, a ROM and a RAM, and the driver circuitsection 501 includes driver circuits and I/O ports. The input/displaysection 3 includes a liquid crystal display 3 a and a transparent touchpanel 3 b superposed on the liquid crystal display 3 a, and is connectedto the control section 500.

[0421] The driver circuit section 501 performs A-D conversion on outputsignals of the panel opening/closing sensor J1, the sample detectingsensor J2, the sample adaptor detecting sensor J3, the pipette topposition sensor J4, the pipette front position sensor J5, a pressuresensor J6 for detecting the negative pressure in the waste liquidchamber WC, a float switch J7 for detecting a liquid amount accumulatedin the waste liquid chamber WC, a hemoglobin detecting section 502constituted by the light emitting diode 68 and the photodiode 69, and aresistance-type detecting section 503 constituted by the electrodes 58,67, and outputs converted signals to the control section 500.

[0422] The control section 500 includes an analyzing section 500 a whichanalyzes the sample on the basis of digital signals received from thedriver circuit section 501 and output signals received from the touchpanel 3 b of the input/display section 3, and a drive controllingsection 500 b which processes the signals according to a predeterminedprocessing program. The drive controlling section 500 b causes thedriver circuit section 501 to drive the pipette up and down motor 405,the pipette back and forth motor 205, the syringe pump motor STM4, thesyringe pump motor STM5, the negative pressure pump P1, the liquiddraining pump P2, the air pump P3 and the electromagnetic valves SV1 toSV25 on the basis of the results of the processing. The control section500 controls the liquid crystal display 3 a of the input/display section3 and the printer section 11 to display and print out analysisconditions, analysis items, analysis results and the like. The controlsection 500 further includes a color changing section 500 c for changinga display color on the liquid crystal display 3 a and a color changecontrolling section 500 d for controlling the color changing section 500c as will be described later.

[0423] Analytic Operation to be Performed by Blood Analyzer

[0424] An analytic operation to be performed by the blood analyzer shownin FIG. 1 will hereinafter be described with reference to a flow chartshown in FIGS. 31(a) and 31(b).

[0425] As shown in FIG. 31(a), the power supply to the blood analyzer isturned on (Step S1). When a measurement preparation period required forpreparatory operations for the analysis including a preliminary cleaningoperation is elapsed (Step S2), a message “Ready” is displayed on theliquid crystal display 3 a of the input/display section 3. Then, theuser sets a sample vessel in the sample setting section 6 (FIG. 4) (StepS4). Where a sample in the sample vessel thus set is a whole bloodsample, the user selects a whole blood mode by means of the touch panel3 b of the display section 3 and, where the sample is a diluted sample,the user selects a pre-diluted mode (Step S5).

[0426] Then, the user presses a start button on the touch panel 3 b(Step S6). Where the sample vessel SP1 or SP2 is not set and/or thesample setting panel 4 is not closed in Step S4, the sensors J1, J2detect such a situation, so that the analyzer does not operate. Wherethe sample vessel SP1 or SP2 is set and the sample setting panel 4 isclosed, the analyzer starts operating. Where the whole blood mode isselected (Step S7), a specimen for measurement of the number of redblood cells (RBC) and a specimen for measurement of the number of whiteblood cells (WBC) are prepared from the whole blood sample (Step S8,S9).

[0427] With the use of the WBC measurement specimen prepared in Step S9,measurement of the WBC and the amount of hemoglobin (HGB) is performed(Step S10), and then the measured WBC and HGB are displayed on theliquid crystal display 3 a (Step S11). Subsequently, measurement of theRBC is performed with the use of the RBC measurement specimen preparedin step S8, and the number of platelets (PLT), a hematocrit value (HCT)and other analysis items including a mean corpuscular volume (MCV), amean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) and a mean corpuscular hemoglobinconcentration (MCHC) are calculated. Then, the measured RBC and thecalculated values for the respective analysis items are displayed on theliquid crystal display (Steps S13, S14).

[0428] The WBC, the RBC and the PLT are determined by counting pulsesindicative of changes in impedance between the electrodes 58 and 67 ofthe detector 50. The HGB is determined by comparing the absorbance(blank level) of the diluent alone and the absorbance of the WBCmeasurement specimen measured by the photodiode 68. The HCT isdetermined on the basis of a maximum level of the pulses indicative ofthe changes in impedance between the electrodes 58 and 67, the MCV, theMCH and the MCHC are calculated from the following expressions:

[0429] MCV=(HCT)/(RBC)

[0430] MCH=(HGB)/(RBC)

[0431] MCHC=(HGB)/(HCT)

[0432] Further, the following items are also calculated.

[0433] LYM%: Ratio of small leukocytes to total WBC (They are assumed tobe equivalent to lymphocytes.)

[0434] MXD%: Ratio of middle leukocytes to total WBC (They are assumedto be equivalent to monocytes, eosinophils and basophils.)

[0435] NEUT%: Ratio of large leukocytes to total WBC (They are assumedto be equivalent to neutrophils.)

[0436] LYM#: Absolute number of small leukocytes (They are assumed to beequivalent to lymphocytes.)

[0437] MXD#: Absolute number of middle leukocytes (They are assumed tobe equivalent to monocytes, eosinophils and basophils.)

[0438] NEUT#: Absolute number of large leukocytes (They are assumed tobe equivalent to neutrophils.)

[0439] RDW-SD: Calculated distribution width of erythrocytes, standarddeviation

[0440] RDW-CV: Calculated distribution width of erythrocytes,coefficient of variation

[0441] PDW: Calculated distribution width of platelets

[0442] MPV: Mean platelet volume

[0443] P-LCR: Ratio of large platelets to the total number of platelets

[0444] Then, a fluid circuit cleaning operation is performed. Uponcompletion of the cleaning operation (Step S15), the routine returns toStep S3, and “Ready” is displayed on the liquid crystal display 3 a onstandby for the analysis of the next sample. Where the pre-diluted modeis selected in Step S7, the RBC measurement specimen and the WBCmeasurement specimen are prepared from a pre-diluted blood sample (StepsS16, S17). In this case, the pre-diluted sample is obtained bypreliminarily diluting a whole blood sample. Therefore, a preliminarydilution factor should be taken into account so that the RBC measurementspecimen and the WBC measurement specimen have the same dilution factorsas those prepared from the whole blood sample in the whole blood mode.

[0445] Next, operations to be performed in Steps S8 to S15 will bedescribed in detail with reference to the flow system diagram shown inFIG. 29. The analyzer is of a normally-closed valve type in which allthe valves in the fluid circuit are usually closed.

[0446] Preliminary Cleaning Operation (Step S2)

[0447] (1) The pipette PT is moved to the upper side of the sample rack18, and then lowered as shown in FIG. 22. (At this time, the samplevessel SP1 is not set in the sample setting section 6.)

[0448] (2) The valves SV9, SV25 are opened, and the diluent is suppliedinto the cleaner S from the syringe pump SR2 and then drained into thewaste liquid chamber WC. At the same time, the pipette PT is lifted asshown in FIG. 34 and, when the tip of the pipette PT reaches theposition shown in FIG. 35, the pipette PT is stopped. Thus, the cleaningof the exterior of the pipette PT is completed.

[0449] (3) With the valves SV9, SV25 kept open, the pipette PT isslightly lowered to the position shown in FIG. 36. Then, the valves SV4,SV10 are opened, and the diluent is supplied into the pipette PT fromthe syringe pump SR2. At the same time, the diluent discharged from thesuction hole 32 of the pipette PT is drained into the waste liquidchamber WC for cleaning the interior of the pipette PT.

[0450] (4) When the valves SV4, SV10 are closed, the flow of the diluentfrom the suction port 32 of the pipette PT to the second opening 85 b isstopped, whereby the interior cleaning is completed. At this time, thesuction flow path 31 and the suction port 32 are filled with thediluent. On the other hand, the flow of the diluent from the thirdopening 85 c to the second opening 85 b is continued and, when thevalves SV9, SV25 are closed, the flow is stopped. Therefore, the suctionport 32 of the pipette PT is kept filled with the diluent.

[0451] Preparation of RBC Measurement Specimen (Step S8)

[0452] (1) A negative pressure is applied to the waste liquid chamber WCfrom the negative pressure pump P1, and the valves SV16, SV20 areopened, whereby residual liquid is expelled from the detector 50 and themixing chamber 70. Thereafter, the valves SV16, SV20 are closed.

[0453] (2) The valve SV22 is opened, and the syringe pump SR2 isoperated for suction, whereby the diluent is sucked into the syringepump SR2 from the diluent container B1. Then, the valve SV22 is closed.

[0454] (3) The pipette PT is lowered to be inserted into the samplevessel SP1. Then, the valves SV10, SV8 are opened, and the syringe pumpSR1 is operated for suction, whereby the pipette PT sucks apredetermined amount (10 μL) of the blood sample. Thereafter, the valvesSV10, SV8 are closed.

[0455] (4) Then, the pipette PT is lifted. During the lifting, thevalves SV9, SV25 are opened, whereby the diluent is supplied into thecleaner S from the syringe pump SR2 and drained into the waste liquidchamber WC for cleaning the exterior of the pipette PT. Then, the valvesSV9, SV25 are closed.

[0456] (5) The valve SV14 is opened, and the syringe pump SR2 isoperated for discharge, whereby a predetermined amount (1.3 mL) of thediluent is supplied into the mixing chamber 70. Then, the valve SV14 isclosed.

[0457] (6) The pipette PT is moved to a position just above the mixingchamber 70, and lowered. Then, the valves SV10, SV4 are opened, and thesyringe pump SR2 is operated for discharge, whereby the 10-μL bloodsample preliminarily sucked into the pipette PT is discharged into themixing chamber 70. Thus, the blood sample is diluted 130 times in themixing chamber 70 through first-stage dilution, so that a 1.3-mL dilutedsample is prepared in the mixing chamber 70. Thereafter, the valvesSV10, SV4 are closed.

[0458] (7) After Steps (2) to (4) of the preliminary cleaning operationare performed, the valves SV4, SV10 are opened, and the syringe SR2 isoperated for suction of a predetermined volume of air, whereby an about10- μL air gap (air layer) is provided in the suction port 32 of thepipette PT. Thereafter, the valves SV4, SV10 are closed.

[0459] (8) The valve SV12 is opened, and the air pump P3 is driven tosupply air into the mixing chamber 70, whereby the diluted sample isagitated in the mixing chamber 70 by air bubbles. Then, the air pump P3is stopped and the valve SV12 is closed.

[0460] (9) The pipette PT is lowered again into the mixing chamber 70.Then, the valves S10, SV4 are opened, and the syringe pump SR2 isoperated for suction, whereby a predetermined amount (0.59 mL) of thefirst-stage diluted sample is sucked into the pipette PT. Then, thevalves SV10, SV4 are closed.

[0461] (10) While the exterior of the pipette PT is cleaned as in Step(2) of the preliminary cleaning operation, the pipette PT is lifted.

[0462] (11) The valve SV20 is opened. Then, a negative pressure isapplied to the waste liquid chamber WC from the negative pressure pumpP1, whereby the residual sample in the mixing chamber 70 is drained intothe waste liquid chamber WC. Then, the valve SV20 is closed.

[0463] (12) The valve SV14 is opened, and the syringe pump SR2 isoperated for discharge, whereby the diluent is supplied into the mixingchamber 70 from the syringe pump SR2. Thereafter, the valve SV14 isclosed. Then, the above Step (11) is performed again. Thus, the mixingchamber 70 is cleaned.

[0464] (13) The valve SV14 is opened, and the syringe pump SR2 isoperated for discharge, whereby a predetermined amount of the diluent ispreliminarily dispensed in the mixing chamber 70 from the syringe pumpSR2. Then, the valve SV14 is closed.

[0465] (14) The pipette PT is lowered. Then, the valves SV10, SV4 areopened, and the syringe pump SR2 is operated for discharge, whereby 0.2mL out of the 0.59-mL first-stage diluted sample retained in the pipettePT is discharged into the mixing chamber 70. Then, the valves SV10, SV4are closed. Thereafter, the pipette PT is lifted. During the lifting,the exterior of the pipette PT is cleaned in the aforesaid manner.

[0466] (15) The valve SV13 is opened, and the syringe pump SR2 isoperated for discharge, whereby the diluent is supplied into the mixingchamber 70 from the syringe pump SR2 for diluting the sample 750 timesfor second-stage dilution. Thus, a second-stage diluted sample isprepared. Then, the valve SV13 is closed. At this time, the second-stagediluted sample is agitated by air bubbles in the aforesaid manner.

[0467] Thus, the RBC measurement specimen is prepared in the mixingchamber 70.

[0468] Preparation of WBC Measurement Specimen (Step S9)

[0469] (1) The valve SV13 is opened, and the syringe pump SR2 isoperated for discharge, whereby 0.5 ml of the diluent is supplied intothe detector 50 (preliminary dispensing). Then, the valve SV13 isclosed.

[0470] (2) The pipette PT is moved to the upper side of the detector 50,and lowered. Then, the valves SV10, SV4 are opened, and the syringe pumpSR2 is operated for discharge, whereby 0.39 mL of the first-stagediluted sample is discharged into the detector 50 from the pipette PT.Then, the valves SV10, SV4 are closed.

[0471] (3) The valve SV24 is opened, and the syringe pump SR3 isoperated for suction, whereby the hemolyzing agent is sucked into thesyringe pump SR3 from the hemolyzing agent container B3. Then, the valveSV24 is closed.

[0472] (4) The valve SV23 is opened, and the syringe pump SR3 isoperated for discharge, whereby 0.5 mL of the hemolyzing agent issupplied into the detector 50. Then, the valve SV23 is closed. Thus,0.39 mL of the diluent, 0.5 mL of the first-stage diluted sample and 0.5mL of the hemolyzing agent are present in the first and third containers51, 53 of the detector 50.

[0473] (5) The pipette PT is lifted, and the exterior and interior ofthe pipette PT are cleaned in the same manner as in Steps (2) to (4) ofthe preliminary cleaning operation. The suction port 32 of the pipettePT is kept filled with the diluent.

[0474] (6) The valve SV1 1 is opened, and the air pump P3 is operated tosupply air into the detector 50 for agitation with air bubbles. Then,the air pump P3 is stopped, and the valve SV11 is closed. Thus, thepreparation of the WBC measurement specimen in the detector 50 iscompleted.

[0475] Measurement of WBC and HGB (Step S10)

[0476] (1) The valves SV21, SV18 are opened. Then, a negative pressureis applied to the waste liquid chamber WC from the negative pressurepump P1, whereby the diluent is caused to flow from the diluentcontainer B1 to the waste liquid chamber WC through the second containerchamber 52 of the detector 50. Thus, the second container chamber 52 iscleaned, and the diluent is retained in the second container chamber 52.Then, the valves SV21, SV18 are closed.

[0477] (2) The valve SV17 is opened, and the syringe pump SR2 isoperated for suction, whereby the WBC measurement specimen is caused toflow from the first and third container chambers 51, 53 into the secondcontainer chamber 52 via the orifice 55 in the detector 50 (for about 10seconds). Then, the valve SV17 is closed. At this time, the controlsection 500 detects changes in impedance between the electrodes 58 and67, and the number of the white blood cells (WBC) is calculated on thebasis of the detection result.

[0478] (3) At the same time, light emitted from the light emitting diode68 is transmitted through the specimen, and the intensity of thetransmitted light is detected by the photodiode 69. The control section500 calculates the amount of the hemoglobin (HGB) on the basis of thedetected light intensity. The blank measurement of the HGB (measurementof the intensity of light transmitted through the diluent) is performedimmediately after Step (1) of the WBC measurement specimen preparingoperation.

[0479] Measurement of RBC (Step S12)

[0480] (1) The valve SV16 is opened, and a negative pressure is appliedto the waste liquid chamber WC from the negative pressure pump P1,whereby residual liquid in the detector 50 is drained into the wasteliquid chamber WC. Then, the valve SV16 is closed.

[0481] (2) The valve SV13 is opened, and the syringe pump SR2 isoperated for discharge, whereby the diluent is supplied into the firstand third container chambers 51, 53 of the detector 50. Then, the valveSV13 is closed.

[0482] (3) The valves SV21, SV18 are opened, and a negative pressure isapplied to the waste liquid chamber WC from the negative pressure pumpP1, whereby the diluent is supplied from the diluent container B1 intothe second container chamber 52 of the detector 50 for cleaning thesecond container chamber 52. Then, the valves SV21, SV18 are closed.

[0483] (4) The valves SV1, SV3 are opened, and the syringe pump SR2 isoperated for suction, whereby the RBC measurement specimen is suckedfrom the mixing chamber 70 into a charging line CL and retained in thecharging line CL. Then, the valves SV1, SV3 are closed.

[0484] (5) The valve SV17 is opened, and the syringe pump SR2 isoperated for discharge, whereby the diluent flows from the thirdcontainer chamber 52 into the first container chamber 51 through theorifice 55 in the detector 50.

[0485] (6) During this period, the valve SV7 is kept open, and thesyringe pump SR1 is operated for discharge, whereby the RBC measurementspecimen retained in the charging line CL is ejected from the jet nozzle56 toward the orifice 55. The RBC measurement specimen ejected from thejet nozzle 56. is surrounded by the diluent in the preceding Step (5),and passes as a sheath flow through the orifice 55 (for about 10seconds). Then, the valves SV1, SV7 are closed.

[0486] (7) The control section 500 calculates the number of the redblood cells (RBC), the number of the platelets (PLT), the hematocrit(HCT) and other analysis items on the basis of changes in impedancebetween the electrodes 58 and 67 when the sheath flow passes through theorifice 55.

[0487] Cleaning Operation (Step S15)

[0488] (1) The valves SV20, SV16 are opened, and then a negativepressure is applied to the waste liquid chamber WC from the negativepressure pump P1, whereby residual liquid in the mixing chamber 70 andthe detector 50 is drained into the waste liquid chamber WC. Then, thevalves SV20, SV16 are closed.

[0489] (2) The valves SV14, SV13 are opened, and the syringe pump SR2 isoperated for discharge, whereby the diluent is supplied into the mixingchamber 70 and the detector 50. Then, the valves SV14, SV13 are closed.

[0490] (3) The valves SV1, SV2 are opened, and then a negative pressureis applied to the waste liquid chamber WC from the negative pressurepump P1, whereby the diluent is drained from the mixing chamber 70 intothe waste liquid chamber through the charging line CL. Then, the valvesSV1, SV2 are closed.

[0491] Thus, the cleaning operation is completed. The negative pressurein the waste liquid chamber WC is monitored by the pressure sensor J6,and the negative pressure pump P1 is driven to constantly keep thepressure within a range between 100 and 300 mmHg, preferably between 150and 200 mmHg.

[0492] When the amount of the waste liquid stored in the waste liquidchamber WC reaches a predetermined amount, this situation is detected bythe float switch J7, and the liquid draining pump P2 is driven, wherebythe waste liquid is drained into the waste liquid container B2.

[0493] Input/display Section

[0494] The input/display section 3 gives information on inputtingprocedures to the user so that the user can perform an input operationwithout any error, and displays inputted information, the progress ofthe analysis and the results of the analysis.

[0495] The input/display section 3 will hereinafter be described indetail.

[0496] The control section 500 displays various screens on the liquidcrystal display 3 a on the basis of display information and apredetermined program stored in the ROM incorporated therein. Thesescreens include a main screen which contains the start button forstarting the analysis, a mode selection screen which contains modeselection buttons, a setting screen for selecting analysis items, andthe like. In this embodiment, the start button 516 and the modeselection buttons 512, 514 are simultaneously displayed in the mainscreen (FIGS. 42(a), 43 and 44).

[0497] A display operation to be performed during the analyzing processby the blood analyzer will be described with reference the flow chartsin FIGS. 31(a) and 31(b). The input/display section 3 performs thedisplay operation in the following manner. When the predeterminedpreparation period is elapsed (Step S2) after the power supply to theblood analyzer is turned on (Step S1) as shown in FIG. 31(a), the mainscreen containing the message “Ready” is displayed on the liquid crystaldisplay 3 a of the input/display section 3 (FIG. 42(a)). The modeselection buttons 512, 514 and the start button 516 are displayed inthis main screen.

[0498] The user sets the sample vessel containing the sample in thesample setting section 6 as described above (Step S4). Then, the userselects one of the whole blood mode and the pre-diluted mode for theanalysis (Step S5). More specifically, the user touches one of the twomode selection buttons 512, 514 in the main screen for the selection.

[0499] Where the sample in the set sample vessel is a whole blood sample(for ordinary analysis), the user touches the whole blood mode button512 displayed in red in the main screen on the input/display section 3and, where the sample is a pre-diluted sample, the user touches thepre-diluted mode button 514 displayed in yellow in the main screen (StepS5).

[0500] When the user touches the whole blood mode button 512, the startbutton 516 in the main screen turns red. When the user touches thepre-diluted mode button 514, the start button 516 turns yellow. At thistime, the control section 500 actuates the color changing section 500 cand the color change controlling section 500d for changing the color ofthe button.

[0501] Subsequently, the user touches the start button 516, whileconfirming the analysis mode on the basis of the color of the startbutton displayed in the main screen (Step S6). The control section 500judges which of the whole blood mode and the pre-diluted mode isselected, and starts a programmed process corresponding to the selectedmode (Step S7).

[0502] Upon the start of the analytic operation on the basis of theinput on the start button 516, the display on the input/display section3 is switched from the main screen (FIG. 42(a)) to the measurementscreen (FIG. 42(b)). At this time, analysis items are displayed in themeasurement screen, but the results of the analysis are not displayedbecause the analysis is not completed.

[0503] At this time, five analysis items (WBC, RBC, HGB, HCT, PLT) whichare supposedly the most important are displayed by default.

[0504] When the whole blood mode is selected, the RBC measurementspecimen and the WBC measurement specimen are prepared from the wholeblood sample (Steps S8, S9).

[0505] When the pre-diluted mode is selected, the RBC measurementspecimen and the WBC measurement specimen are prepared from thepre-diluted sample (Steps S16, S17).

[0506] With the use of the WBC measurement specimen prepared in Step S9,the measurement of the WBC and the HGB (hemoglobin concentration) isfirst performed (Step S10). When the results of the measurement areobtained, measurement result data for these two items is displayed inthe current measurement screen (FIG. 42(c)) (Step S11 ).

[0507] With the use of the RBC measurement specimen prepared in Step S8,the measurement of the RBC is performed (Step S12), and the PLT (thenumber of platelets), the HCT (hematocrit value) and other analysisitems are calculated (Step S13). Then, the results of the measurementand the calculation are displayed in the measurement screen (Step S14).At this time, the results of the measurement of the five items aredisplayed in a greater font size in the measurement screen (FIG. 42(d)).

[0508] Subsequently, the cleaning operation is started to prepare forthe next analysis (Step S15). FIG. 31(b) is a detailed flow chart forStep S15. Referring to FIG. 31(b), it is checked whether the touch panelis operated for displaying eight analysis items during the cleaningoperation (Step S18). If the operation for the eight-item display isperformed, the display is switched to an eight-item display screen inwhich the eight analysis items are displayed in a smaller font size(FIG. 42(e)) (Step S19).

[0509] The eight-item display screen (FIGS. 42(e) and 49) is keptdisplayed until a return button (“Top” button) 534 is touched (StepS20). When the return button 534 is touched, the display is switched tothe main screen (FIG. 42(a)) (Step S21).

[0510] If the operation is not performed in Step S18, the five-itemdisplay screen (FIG. 42(d)) is kept displayed until the cleaningoperation is completed (Step S22).

[0511] Upon the completion of the cleaning operation, the display isswitched to the main screen (FIG. 42(a)) (Step S21), and the routinereturns to Step S3 on standby for the analysis of the next sample. Ifthe operation for the eight-item display is not performed before thecompletion of the cleaning operation, it is judged that there is no needfor the eight-item display, and the display is automatically switched tothe main screen (FIG. 42(a)). For judgment on the automatic switching tothe main screen (FIG. 42(a)), the control section 500 has to judgewhether the cleaning operation is completed. In this embodiment, thecontrol section 500 determines the completion of the cleaning operationon the basis of the signals applied thereto from the sensors provided inthe analyzer. For this purpose, a timer may additionally be provided,and the control section 500 may be adapted to determine the completionof that the cleaning operation on the basis of a lapse of apredetermined period from the start of the cleaning operation, andautomatically switch the display from the five-item display screen (FIG.42(d)) to the main screen (FIG. 42(a)). Alternatively, the controlsection 500 may be adapted to automatically switch the display from thefive-item display screen (FIG. 42(d)) to the main screen (FIG. 42(a))after a lapse of a predetermined period from the determination of thecompletion of the cleaning operation.

[0512] Next, an explanation will be given to the contents of the mainscreen and the measurement screen.

[0513] Main Screen

[0514]FIGS. 43 and 44 are diagrams illustrating the contents of the mainscreen. Particularly, FIG. 43 illustrates a screen displayed when thewhole blood mode is selected, and FIG. 44 illustrates a screen displayedwhen the pre-diluted mode is selected. As shown, the whole blood modebutton 512 and the pre-diluted mode button 514 are displayed in ananalysis mode region 511. The start button 516 is displayed in a startbutton region. Besides, a P/F button 518 for sheet feeding of theprinter, a menu button 520 for selecting various menu items such ascalibration, a QC button 522 for controlling the accuracy of theanalyzer, a button 524 for displaying the measurement results of thepreviously analyzed sample, a shutdown button 526 for starting ashutdown operation (for turning off the analyzer after the cleaningoperation), and a dispensing button 528 for performing a dispensingoperation in the pre-diluted mode) are displayed on the input/displaysection.

[0515] Since the touch panel 3 b is superposed on the liquid crystaldisplay 3 a, a function of each of the buttons is effectuated bytouching (or pressing) a corresponding portion of the touch panel 3 b bya finger or the like. The function is performed according to the programpreliminarily stored in the control section 500.

[0516] A sample ID is entered in a region 510 by inputting a numeral orthe like from a keyboard (not shown), which may be a pop-up keyboard tobe displayed as required.

[0517] An explanation will be given to the selection of an analysismode. The whole blood mode button 512 and the pre-diluted mode button514 shown in FIG. 43 are colored red and yellow, respectively. The twobuttons 512, 514 having different colors can be discriminated by color,so that the possibility of mistaken button pressing is diminished.

[0518] When the whole blood mode button 512 is touched, for example, thewhole blood mode button 512 is three-dimensionally displayed as beingdepressed, and the pre-diluted mode button 514 is three-dimensionallydisplayed as projecting. On the other hand, when the pre-diluted modebutton 514 is touched, the pre-diluted mode button 514 is displayed asbeing depressed, and the whole blood mode button 512 is displayed asprojecting. Thus, the mode button touched on the two-dimensional touchpanel is visually three-dimensionally displayed. Therefore, the selectedmode button can clearly be discriminated from the other mode button,whereby the possibility of mistaken mode selection is diminished.

[0519] At the same time, a message “Whole blood” or “Pre-diluted” isdisplayed below the whole blood mode button 512 and the pre-diluted modebutton 514, whereby the mistaken mode selection is prevented.

[0520] In addition, the color of the start button 516 is changedaccording to the selected analysis mode. As described above, the wholeblood mode button 512 and the pre-diluted mode button 514 are displayedin red and yellow, respectively, in this embodiment. When the wholeblood mode button 512 is pressed for the selection of the whole bloodmode, the start button 516 is turned red. When the pre-diluted modebutton 514 is pressed for the selection of the pre-diluted mode, thestart button 516 is turned yellow. The whole blood mode button 512 maybe displayed in red constantly or only when the whole blood mode isselected. Similarly, the pre-diluted mode button 514 may be displayed inyellow constantly or only when the pre-diluted mode is selected. Ineither case, it is merely necessary that the whole blood mode button 512and the pre-diluted mode button 514 are not simultaneously displayed inthe same color. The colors of the respective mode buttons are preferablyselected so as to be easily distinguished from each other.

[0521] When the start button 516 is touched in the main screen, theanalysis is started. However, if the analysis is started before thecompletion of the cleaning operation or when the analyzer is short ofthe reagents or in trouble, a malfunction may occur in the analyzer.Therefore, the control section 500 monitors the signals from the drivercircuit section 501 and the like to check for the shortage of thereagents and the state of the analyzer. Then, the control section 500permits the display of the start button 516 if the preparation for theanalysis is completed, and prohibits the display of the start button 516as shown in FIG. 45 if the analyzer is in a measurement impossible statebefore the completion of the preparation or when the analyzer is introuble. Thus, the user is prevented from carelessly pressing the startbutton 516, and easily founds that the analysis cannot be started.

[0522] The control section 500 monitors, for example, information on thecompletion of the cleaning operation and analyzer trouble informationbased on the outputs of the panel opening/closing sensor J1, the sampledetecting sensor J2 and the like. With the start button not displayed,there is a blank space on the display, so that a message of themeasurement impossible state may be displayed in a greater font size inthe blank space.

[0523] Measurement Screen

[0524] Next, an explanation will be given to screens to be displayedduring the analysis. FIG. 46 illustrates a measurement screen to bedisplayed immediately after the start button 516 is pressed for startingthe analysis. FIG. 47 illustrates a measurement screen to be displayedafter the results of the measurement with the use of the WBC measurementspecimen are obtained. FIG. 48 illustrates a measurement screen to bedisplayed immediately after the analysis is completed with the resultsof the measurement with the use of the RBC measurement specimenobtained. As shown in FIGS. 46 and 47, the progress of the analysis isindicated by displaying graphics (triangles) 530 with color variationson a bottom line.

[0525] In these measurement screens, the five basic analysis items (WBC,RBC, PLT, HGB and HCT) are displayed in a greater font size.

[0526] Since the measurement results are not obtained immediately afterthe start of the analysis, the analysis items (and their units) aresimply displayed. After a lapse of about 20 seconds from the start ofthe analysis, the measurement with the use of the WBC measurementspecimen is completed, and data on the WBC and the HGB obtained in thismeasurement is displayed as shown in FIG. 47.

[0527] After a lapse of about 80 seconds from the completion of the WBCmeasurement, the measurement with the use of the RBC measurementspecimen is completed, and the results of the measurement for the fiveanalysis items are displayed as shown in FIG. 48.

[0528] When an arrow button (forward button) 532 provided in a rightbottom corner in FIG. 48 is touched, an eight-item measurement resultscreen is displayed as shown in FIG. 49, which contains the MCV (meancorpuscular volume), the MCH (mean corpuscular hemoglobin) and the MCHC(mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration) in addition to the aforesaidfive analysis items. In this screen, all the analysis items measured bythe blood analyzer are displayed. Since the number of the analysis itemsis increased, the analysis items are displayed in a smaller font size.

[0529] Statistic data screens related to the results of the measurementwith the use of the WBC measurement specimen and the RBC measurementspecimen may be displayed as shown in FIGS. 50 and 51, when the forwardbutton 532 is further touched on the screen shown in FIG. 49.Alternatively, the display may be switched back to the five-item displayscreen (FIG. 48 or 42(d)) from the eight-item display screen (FIG. 49 or42(e)).

[0530] By thereafter touching the return button 534 displayed in theright upper corner of the screen in FIG. 49, 50 or 51, the display isswitched back to the main screen (FIGS. 42(a), 43 and 44).

[0531] The user may desire to perform the analysis of the next samplewithout examination of the data displayed in the eight-item displayscreen (or the statistic data screens). Therefore, where no inputoperation is performed during an about 20-second period from the startof the display of the screen shown in Fig. FIG. 48 to the completion ofthe cleaning operation, i.e., where the forward button 532 is notoperated during this period for the display of the eight-item displayscreen, the display is automatically switched to the main screen with noneed for viewing the data shown in FIG. 49.

[0532] The input/display section 3 is adapted to display the five basicanalysis items after the start of the analysis in this embodiment.However, the input/display section 3 may be adapted to preliminarilyregister desired analysis items selected from the measurable analysisitems and optionally display a screen containing only the selectedanalysis items separately from the eight-item display screen.

[0533]FIG. 52 illustrates a screen preliminarily registered as a firstmeasurement screen containing the WBC and the RBC. For registration ofthe desired analysis items, the menu button 520 in the screen shown inFIG. 43 or 44 is touched to invoke a setting screen, and a program isrun in the setting screen for selecting the desired analysis items. Inthis program, the font size is predefined according to the number of theselected analysis items (for example, a font size of 20 points isemployed for display of up to two analysis items, and a font size of 16points is employed for display of up to five analysis items). Thus, thefont size is determined according to the number of the analysis items.

[0534] Detection Circuit of Resistance-type Detecting Section Thedetection circuit employed for the resistance-type detecting section 503requires a booster circuit for boosting the DC voltage (12V) outputtedfrom the power supply section 10 to a level of 50V or higher. In thisinvention, a Cockcroft power supply is employed as the booster circuit.

[0535] An explanation will hereinafter be given to the detection circuitfor the resistance-type detecting section 503.

[0536]FIG. 53 is a basic circuit diagram of the detection circuit forthe resistance-type detecting section 503. As shown, the DC voltage isapplied from the Cockcroft power supply 830 to a serial circuitconsisting of a constant electric current circuit 840 and theresistance-type detecting section 503. A terminal voltage of theresistance-type detecting section 503 is inputted to an amplifiercircuit 855 via a capacitor 852 which removes a DC component, and theamplified voltage is outputted as a detection signal.

[0537] When particles such as blood cells pass through the orifice 55(FIG. 23), the impedance between the electrodes 58 and 67 (see FIGS. 23and 24) slightly fluctuates. Since the constant electric current circuit840 constantly applies a constant electric current to the orifice 55, aslight voltage variation occurs between the electrodes 58 and 67according to the fluctuation of the impedance. The voltage variation isinputted to the amplifier 855 after the removal of the DC component bythe capacitor 852, whereby the detection signal is obtained.

[0538] Next, an explanation will be given to the Cockcroft power supply830.

[0539] The Cockcroft power supply 830 includes an oscillator 831, aswitching circuit 832 and a booster 833 as shown in FIG. 54.

[0540] The oscillator 831 includes an RC oscillation circuit constitutedby an operation amplifier element 831 a, a resistor R₁ and a capacitorC₆, and an inversion operation amplifier element 831 b connected to oneof branched output terminals of the RC oscillation circuit. With thisarrangement, two square waves A, A′ having opposite phases as shown inFIG. 60 are outputted from the oscillator 831. These square wave outputsare supplied to the switching circuit 832.

[0541] The switching circuit 832 includes two analog switching elements832 a, 832 d connected to the DC power supply (+12V), and two analogswitching elements 832 b, 832 c connected to a ground terminal.

[0542] The analog switching elements 832 a, 832 c operate insynchronization with the square wave A, and the analog switchingelements 832 b, 832 c operate in synchronization with the square wave A′having an inverted phase for opening and closing thereof.

[0543] The analog switching elements 832 a, 832 b are connected to eachother to be paired, and the analog switching elements 832 c, 832 d areconnected to each other to be paired. The analog switching element pairsare respectively connected to the booster 833 via output terminals T1and T2.

[0544] In the switching circuit 832, the four analog switching elementsare switched in synchronization with the square waves A, A′ havingopposite phases. When a voltage of +12V is applied to one of the outputterminals T1, T2, the other output terminal is connected to the groundthereby to have a voltage of 0V. Thus, the terminals T1, T2 arealternately switched between +12V and 0V.

[0545] The booster 833 is connected to the output terminals T1, T2 ofthe switching circuit 832. The booster 833 includes capacitors C₁ to C₄and diodes D₁ to D₄ for boosting the voltage. More specifically, acathode of the diode D₁ is connected to an anode of the diode D₂, and acathode of the diode D₂ is connected to an anode of the diode D₃. Theother diodes are serially connected to each other in this manner. Thecapacitors C₁ to C₄ are each connected between the anode and cathode oftwo adjacent diodes. However, the first capacitor C₁ is connectedbetween the output terminal T1 of the switching circuit 832 and thediode D₁.

[0546] A voltage of +12V is applied alternately to the terminals of thebooster 833 from the switching circuit 832. The applied voltage isboosted by each of the capacitors thereby to be virtually multiplied bythe number of the capacitors. Since the four capacitors and the fourdiodes are connected to one another in FIG. 54, an output voltage of 55Vis obtained which is nearly equal to the product of 12V multiplied by 5.A value obtained by the calculation is 60V but, actually, reduced by aforward voltage drop of the diodes.

[0547] The boosted voltage is outputted to a subsequent circuit througha rectifier diode D₅ and a smoothing capacitor C₅.

[0548] A common constant electric current circuit, for example, acurrent mirror circuit employing transistors, may be employed as theconstant electric current circuit 840 to which the voltage generated bythe Cockcroft power supply 830 is supplied.

[0549] Experiments were performed to check if the Cockcroft power supply830 stably serves as the booster circuit, and the results of theexperiments are shown below.

[0550] The basic construction of a circuit for the experiments is shownin FIG. 55. As shown in FIG. 55, the Cockcroft power supply 830 shown inFIG. 54 is connected to the constant electric current circuit 840.

[0551] The constant electric current circuit 840 employed for theseexperiments is a current mirror circuit employing transistors. Theconstant electric current circuit 840 includes a choke coil L and acapacitor C6 for smoothing, a resistors (resistance Rs) 842 for settingan electric current level, a dummy resistor 843 corresponding to animpedance of the resistance-type detecting section 503, a Zener diode844 for generating a reference voltage Es, transistors Q1, Q2, resistorsR3, R4, a capacitor C7 and an operation switch S. The resistance Rs ofthe electric current setting resistor 842 is probably set as a parameterto determine the electric current level which is equal to Es/Rs.

[0552] Experiment data indicative of a relationship between theswitching frequency (kHz) of the oscillator 831 of the Cockcroft powersupply 830 and the output voltage (V) is Table 1 and FIG. 57. TABLE 1With load With load Switching With no load electric electric frequencyelectric current of current of (kHz) current 0.75 mA 2.50 mA 1 58.1 47.531.5 10 58.0 53.6 46.7 50 58.0 53.8 47.2 100 58.0 53.8 47.1 200 58.053.7 47.1 500 57.9 53.6 46.7 1000 58.0 53.2 45.9 2000 58.2 52.3 43.53000 58.1 49.5 35.7

[0553] instead of the oscillation circuit 831 for easily varying theswitching frequency.

[0554] Further, 1-μF ceramic capacitors were employed as the capacitorsC₁ to C₄ of the booster 833.

[0555] By adjusting the electric current setting resistor 842 of theconstant electric current circuit 841, load electric currents of 0 mA,0.75 mA and 2.50 mA were applied. At this time, the output voltage ofthe Cockcroft power supply was measured at the terminal TP1 provided inthe constant electric current circuit 841.

[0556] As can be seen from Table 1 and FIG. 57, the output voltage didnot rely on the switching frequency with no load electric current on theconstant electric current circuit. With a greater load electric current,on the other hand, the output voltage was advantageously increased asthe switching frequency was increased. However, the output voltage waslower at a switching frequency higher than a certain level. This issupposedly because the output voltage was influenced by operation speedsand ON resistances of the analog switching elements of the switchingcircuit 832. Further, the output voltage was lower at a lower switchingfrequency. This is supposedly because it was impossible to maintain theoutput voltage with insufficient current supply at the lower switchingfrequency.

[0557] The experiment data suggests that the power supply is preferablyoperated at a switching frequency of 50 to 1000 kHz to provide an outputvoltage of about 50V.

[0558] Next, experiment data indicative of a relationship between thecapacitance (μF) of the booster capacitors C₁ to C₄ and the outputvoltage (V) is shown in Table 2 and FIG. 58. TABLE 2 With load With loadCapacitance With no load electric electric of C₁ to C₄ electric currentof current of (μF) current 0.75 mA 2.50 mA 1 58.3 54.2 47.8 0.1 58.253.7 47.1 0.01 58.1 50.9 39.0

[0559] Ceramic capacitors having capacitances of 1 μF, 0.1 μF and 0.01μF were employed as the capacitors C₁ to C₄ of the booster 833. Byadjusting the electric current setting resistor 842 of the constantelectric current circuit 841, load electric currents of 0 mA, 0.75 mAand 2.50 mA were applied as in the preceding experiment. Then, theoutput voltage of the Cockcroft power supply was measured at theterminal TP1.

[0560] As can be seen from Table 2 and FIG. 58, the output voltage didnot rely on the switching frequency with no load electric current. Theelectric current capacity of the power supply was increased with thecapacitance of the capacitors as the load electric current wasincreased.

[0561] Therefore, a greater capacitance is more advantageous in terms ofthe electric current capacity, but capacitors having a greatercapacitance have a greater size. Thus, the experiment data suggests thatcapacitors having a capacitance of 1 μF are preferred which practicallypresent no problem.

[0562] Next, the switching frequency of the Cockcroft power supply andthe circuit constants of the capacitors were optimized on the basis ofthe relationship between the switching frequency and the output voltageand the relationship between the capacitance of the capacitors and theoutput voltage, and the performance of the power supply was examined.

[0563] Experiment data indicative of a relationship between the loadelectric current and the voltage of the power supply is shown in Table 3and FIG. 59.

[0564] The switching frequency was set at 160 kHz which falls within theaforesaid preferred range (R₁=47 kΩ, C₆=100 pF in the oscillationcircuit 831 in FIG. 54), and the capacitors C₁ to C₄ each had acapacitance of 1 μF. TABLE 3 Voltage at TP1 Load electric AC componentcurrent (mA) DC component (V) (mVrms) 0.09 56.4 0.30 0.25 55.8 0.31 0.5354.7 0.33 0.76 53.8 0.36 0.92 53.2 0.37 1.64 50.4 0.47 2.46 47.4 0.606.74 28.7 1.53

[0565] As can be seen from Table 3 and FIG. 59, the DC component wasreduced and the AC component was increased, as the load electric currentwas increased. When the load electric current was not lower than 1.64mA, the DC component was reduced to 50V or lower. Requirements for thepower supply for the detecting circuit (an output voltage of not smallerthan 50V, a load electric current of 0.6 to 1 mA) were sufficientlysatisfied. Therefore, the experiment data indicates that the Cockcroftpower supply can advantageously be employed for the booster circuit.

[0566] Next, the power consumption of the Cockcroft power supply wasmeasured. The results of the measurement are shown below.

[0567] The power consumption was determined by inserting a resistor(about 10Ω) between the switching elements and a DC input voltage source(+12V) connected to the switching circuit 832, and observing a voltagedrop.

[0568] As a result, the power consumption was 3 mW on standby (where theswitching operation of the Cockcroft power supply was off), and 83 mWwhen the detection electric current was on (with a load electric currentof 0.75 mA).

[0569] On the other hand, where a commercially available DC-DC convertershown in FIG. 56 was employed, the power consumption was 580 mW onstandby (with a voltage of 5V supplied to the DC-DC converter and with avoltage outputted with no load), and 640 mW when the detection electriccurrent was on (with a load electric current of 0.75 mA).

[0570] The power consumption of the booster circuit employing theCockcroft power supply is much lower than that of the booster circuitemploying the commercially available DC-DC converter, and is drasticallyreduced as compared with a booster circuit employed in the conventionalanalyzer.

[0571] As a result, the booster circuit employing the Cockcroft powersupply generates a smaller amount of heat in operation and, therefore,can spontaneously be cooled without the need for forcibly cooling thebooster circuit by a cooling fan or the like.

[0572] Container Housing Unit, Container Holder and Flow Path ConnectionMechanisms

[0573] An explanation will hereinafter be given to the container housingunit 100 shown in FIG. 3, a container holder 950 (FIG. 69) for holdingthe container housing unit 100 and flow path connection mechanisms forfluid communication between the container housing unit 100 and theanalyzer main body 1.

[0574] Container Housing Unit

[0575] As shown in FIG. 61, the container housing unit 100 includes aninner case 901, generally square large containers 902, 903 and agenerally square small container 904. As shown in FIG. 61, the innercase 901 is of a rectangular box shape having an open top and a handlehole 906 formed in a side wall thereof for easy handling of the innercase 901 with a user's finger inserted therein. The formation of thehandle hole 906 may be achieved by preliminarily perforating a portionof the inner case, and tearing off the perforated portion.

[0576] The inner configuration and dimensions of the inner case 901 aredefined in accordance with the outer configuration and dimensions of thetwo large containers 902, 903 which are disposed in juxtaposition withopposed faces (indicated by a reference character S in FIG. 61) of thecontainers 902, 903 in contact with each other, so that the two largecontainers 902, 903 can neatly be accommodated and positioned in theinner case 901. If the large containers need to be disposed in spacedjuxtaposed relation due to positional relationships between the largecontainers and guide mechanisms 970 attached to the container holder950, the inner configuration of the inner case 901 may be defined inaccordance with the outer configuration and outer dimensions of all thecontainers to be accommodated in combination in the inner case 901.Thus, the containers can properly be positioned in the inner case 901.The inner case 901 is formed, for example, of a cardboard or a plastic.The inner case may be lidded with the containers accommodated therein.One of the large containers 902, 903 is employed as the diluentcontainer B1 and the other large container is employed as the wasteliquid container B2 shown in FIG. 29.

[0577] Next, the configurations of the respective containers will bedescribed. FIG. 62 illustrates the construction of the large container,and FIG. 63 illustrates the construction of the small container. Thesecontainers are disposable containers produced, for example, byblow-molding of HDPE (high density polyethylene) or a like plastic. Thelarge containers 902, 903 each have a generally rectangular tank portion(container body) 910 for containing a reagent, and a small-diametermouth portion 911 provided on an upper portion of the container body 910for taking the reagent in and out of the container body. The mouthportion 911 has a thread 912 provided on an outer circumference thereof.When the large container 902, 903 is to be sealed, an outer cap notshown is threadingly fitted around the mouth portion 911. When the largecontainer 902, 903 is in use, an inner cap 913 is fitted in the mouthportion 911 to close the mouth portion 911. The container body is notnecessarily required to be of a rectangular shape but may be of acylindrical shape.

[0578] The large container 902, 903 of FIG. 62 has a shoulder projection923 provided on a shoulder thereof. The shoulder projection 923 preventsthe container housing unit 100 from being set in a wrong orientation inthe container holder 950. The container holder 950 of FIG. 69 isprovided with three guide mechanisms 970. The containers 902, 903, 904are exclusively used for the waste liquid, the hemolyzing agent and thediluent, respectively. Therefore, the containers 902, 903, 904 should beset in the container holder 950 so as to be properly connected to theguide mechanisms 970 for the respective uses. Without the shoulderprojections 923, there would be a possibility that the container housingunit 100 is set in a wrong orientation to result in erroneous connectionfor the waste liquid and the diluent. However, if the inner case 100(FIG. 61) accommodating the large containers 902, 903 with the shoulderprojections 923 of the large containers oriented in the same directionis set in a wrong orientation in the container holder 950, the shoulderprojections 923 of the large containers 902, 903 abut againstprojections 955 (having the same height as the shoulder projections 923of the large containers 902, 903) projecting inward from a wall of thecontainer holder 950 as shown in FIG. 69, so that the container housingunit 100 cannot be set in the container holder 950. Thus, the containerhousing unit 100 is prevented from being set in a wrong orientation inthe container holder 950.

[0579]FIG. 64 is a sectional diagram of the large container 902, 903capped with the inner cap 913. The inner cap 913 is required to beflexible and resistant to the reagents to be used, and is preferablycomposed, for example, of a silicone rubber. The inner cap 913 has afluid passage hole 914 and a vent hole 915. The vent hole 915 permitsair communication for prevention of pressure reduction or increase inthe container when the reagent passes through the fluid passage hole914.

[0580] A flow path tube 916 serving as a flow path connected to thefluid passage hole 914 is suspended within the large container 902, 903(container body 910). A distal end of the flow path tube 916 reaches thebottom of the container, so that the reagent can be sucked out throughthe flow path tube 916 even if the reagent is left in a small amount.Examples of the tube include a urethane tube, a silicone tube and atetrafluoroethylene tube.

[0581] A shoulder portion 917 extends radially outwardly from a lowerportion of the mouth portion 911, and is followed by a container sidewall 918. The container body 910 is defined by a space within thecontainer side wall 918. The shoulder portion 917 has a neck 919provided around the mouth portion 911. When the small container 904 isrested on the shoulder portion 917, the neck 919 serves to fix the smallcontainer 904 in abutment against a side wall of the small container 904(a small container side wall portion to be described later) (see FIG.67). The outer diameter (outer dimensions) of the neck 919 is determinedin accordance with the outer diameter (outer dimensions) of the smallcontainer 904. A container projection 922 (which will be describerlater) is provided on a side wall of the mouth portion 911 of the largecontainer.

[0582] On the other hand, the small container 904 shown in FIG. 63 has acontainer side wall 939 defining therein a tank portion (container body931) for storing a reagent, and a small-diameter mouth portion 932provided on the container body 931 for taking the reagent in and out ofthe container portion. As can be seen from a sectional view in FIG. 65,the small container 904 has a generally planar bottom face 942 so as tobe rested on a planar surface. The bottom face is not necessarilyrequired to have a perfect planarity, but the configuration of thebottom face is determined by a positional relationship with respect toportions (small container mounting portions 924) of the shoulderportions 917 of the large containers 902, 903 on which the smallcontainer is mounted. Where the small container mounting portions 924 ofthe shoulder portions of the large containers are somewhat inclined, thebottom face 942 of the small container 904 is configured in conformitywith the inclination. Thus, the generally planar bottom face mayslightly be undulated, curved or inclined. The configuration of thesmall container mounting portions 924 is not limited to a generallyplanar configuration, but may be such that the small container 904 canbe disposed between the two large containers 902 and 903 disposed injuxtaposition. Therefore, the configuration of the bottom face 942 ofthe small container 904 is not limited to the generally planarconfiguration, but may be configured in conformity with theconfiguration of the small container mounting portions 924. The smallcontainer 904 is employed as the hemolyzing agent container B3 shown inFIG. 29.

[0583] A thread 933 provided around the mouth portion 932, an inner cap934, a fluid passage hole 935, a vent hole 936, a shoulder portion 937,a flow path tube 938 and a container projection 941 have substantiallythe same constructions and functions as those of the large container902, 903 and, therefore, no explanation will be given thereto.

[0584] The container side wall 939 of the small container 904 is of agenerally disk shape, and has a diameter defined so as to be broughtinto contact with the necks 919 of the large containers 902, 903 asdescribe above (see FIG. 61).

[0585] The neck 919 and the container side wall 939 of the smallcontainer 904 are each illustrated as having a circular configuration inthe figures, but the configurations of the neck 919 and the containerside wall 939 are not limited thereto. For example, the neck 919 and thecontainer side wall 939 may be of a polygonal configuration, anddimensioned so that the neck 919 and the container side wall 939 can bebrought into contact with each other.

[0586] As described above, portions of the shoulder portions 917extending radially outwardly from the necks 919 of the large containers902, 903 each have a generally planar configuration, and the bottom faceof the small container 904 has a generally planar configuration inconformity with the shoulder portions 917. Therefore, the smallcontainer 904 can easily be mounted on the shoulder portions 917 of thelarge containers 902, 903.

[0587] Projections 920 are respectively provided on portions of thenecks 919 of the large containers 902, 903 which are brought intocontact with the small container 904. On the other hand, the smallcontainer 904 is formed with recesses 940 engageable with theprojections 920. Therefore, the small container 904 can be held betweenthe necks 919 with the recesses 940 thereof engaged with the projections920 thereby to be assuredly fixed between the large containers 902, 903without lateral displacement thereof.

[0588] Alternatively, a ring-shaped projection may be provided on thegenerally planar regions of the shoulder portions 917 in conformity withthe outer periphery of the small container 904 for limitation of thelateral displacement.

[0589] Further, flanges 921 are respectively provided on upper portionsof the projections 920 provided on the necks 919 of the large containers902, 903. The flanges 921 respectively overlie parts of the smallcontainer 904 to prevent not only the lateral displacement but also thevertical displacement of the small container 904.

[0590] Next, an explanation will be given to how to accommodate thelarge containers 902, 903 and the small container 904 in the inner case901.

[0591] The two large containers 902, 903 are placed in spaced juxtaposedrelation so that faces (contact faces indicated by a reference characterS in FIG. 61) of the large containers 902, 903 to be brought intocontact with each other when the large containers 902, 903 areaccommodated in the inner case 901 are spaced a small distance (about 1cm).

[0592] In turn, the small container 904 is rested on an intermediateplanar region between the shoulder portions 917 of the two largecontainers 902, 903.

[0593] Then, the two large containers 902, 903 are carefully movedtoward each other to be brought into contact with each other, so thatthe projections 920 provided on the necks 919 of the large containers902, 903 are fitted in the recesses 940 formed in the container sidewall 939 of the small container 904.

[0594]FIG. 66 is a perspective view illustrating a state where the facesS of the two large containers 902, 903 are in contact with each other.FIGS. 67 and 68 are a front view and a plan view, respectively,illustrating this state. With the faces S of the two large containers902,903 in contact with each other, the small container 904 is fixed bythe necks 919, the projections 920 and the flanges 921. In this state,the two large containers 902, 903 are lifted and inserted into the innercase 901.

[0595] The inner case 901 and the two large containers 902, 903 areproperly dimensioned so that the large containers 902, 903 are fitted inthe inner case 901. Therefore, the large containers 902, 903 and, hence,the small container 904 are properly positioned simply by inserting thelarge containers 902, 903 in the inner case 901. Thus, the largecontainers 902, 903 and the small container 904 are accommodated in theinner case 901 with the small container 904 being mounted on theshoulder portions 917 of the large containers 902, 903.

[0596] Container Holder

[0597] Next, an explanation will be given to the container holderattached to the analyzer body 1 for holding the container housing unit100. The appearance of the container holder (including the containerhousing unit 100) is shown in FIG. 61, and the appearance of thecontainer holder (excluding the container housing unit 100) is shown inFIG. 69. The container housing unit 100 is accommodated in the containerholder 950. In use, the container holder 950 is fixed to the bloodanalyzer body 1, as shown in FIG. 3, by fixture screws 956, 957.

[0598] The container holder 950 has a generally rectangular box shapehaving six faces. Out of the six faces, a front wall 951 has an upperright portion arcuately cut away, and a bottom wall 952, a rear wall 953and a left side wall 954 are present with a top face and a right sideface being open.

[0599] The container holder 950 has inner dimensions which conform withthe outer dimensions of the inner case 901 of the container housing unit100. The inner case 901 of the container housing unit 100 is insertedinto the container holder 950 from the right side face to abut againstthe left side wall 954. Thus, the inner case 901 can properly bepositioned in the container holder 950.

[0600] Therefore, the mouth portions 911 of the large containers 902,903 fitted in the inner case 901 and the mouth portion 932 of the smallcontainer 904 fixed to the large containers 902, 903 are brought into apredetermined positional relationship with respect to the guidemechanisms attached to the container holder 950.

[0601] The handle hole 906 of the inner case is exposed from thecut-away portion of the front wall 951, so that the user can easily drawout the container housing unit 100 with his finger inserted in thehandle hole 906.

[0602] Flow Path Connection Mechanisms

[0603] Next, an explanation will be given to the flow path connectionmechanisms for the fluid communication between the containers and theblood analyzer body 1 for supplying the reagents into the analyzer body1 from the reagent containers and draining the waste liquid from theanalyzer body 1 into the waste liquid container.

[0604] The flow path connection mechanisms are each constituted bycomponents provided in the container and components provided outside thecontainer. The components provided in the containers have already beendescribed with reference to FIGS. 64 and 65. More specifically, thefluid passage hole 914, the inner cap 913 having the vent hole 915 andthe flow path tube 916 suspended from the inner cap 913 shown in FIG.64, or the fluid passage hole 935, the inner cap 934 having the venthole 936 and the flow path tube 938 suspended from the inner cap 934shown in FIG. 65 constitute a part of the flow path connectionmechanism.

[0605] The components of the flow path connection mechanisms providedoutside the containers are shown in a perspective view of FIG. 61 and afront view of FIG. 69. These and other figures are employed for thefollowing explanation. The flow path connection mechanisms each includea nozzle 960 and a guide mechanism 970.

[0606] The guide mechanism 970 is attached to a notch 988 formed on anupper edge of the wall 953 of the container holder 950. Three flow pathconnection mechanisms are provided as corresponding to the threecontainers in the figures. However, an explanation will be given to onlyone of the flow path connection mechanisms for the large container,because the flow path connection mechanisms have the same construction.

[0607] FIGS. 70 to 73 illustrate the construction of the guide mechanism970 of the flow path connection mechanism as seen from the right sidethereof (in an arrow direction A) in FIGS. 61 and 69. These figures willalso be employed for explaining the operation of the guide mechanism970. FIG. 74 is a central sectional view of the guide mechanism 970 (asseen when the guide mechanism assumes a position shown in FIG. 73 aswill be described later).

[0608] The nozzle 960 will first be explained. The nozzle 960 isprovided within the guide mechanism 970 (FIG. 61). The nozzle 960 has agenerally cylindrical shape, and has a flow path 961 provided therein asillustrated in section in FIG. 74. One end of the flow path 961 isinserted into the fluid passage hole 914 (FIG. 64), and the other end ofthe flow path 961 is connected to an inlet/outlet port of the bloodanalyzer body 1 via a tube. A nozzle tip 962 to be inserted into thefluid passage hole 914 is tapered for easy insertion in the fluidpassage hole 914.

[0609] The flow path 961 of the nozzle 960 is bent at a right angle inthe midst of the nozzle, and is connected to a port 964 provided in anaxially middle portion of a cylindrical side wall of the nozzle 960. Thetube for fluid communication with the blood analyzer body 1 is attachedto the port 964. The nozzle 960 has a support hole 963 provided in atail portion thereof. A second shaft 973 to be described later extendsthrough the support hole 963, so that the nozzle 960 is supported by thesecond shaft 973. Since the support hole 963 is provided in the tailportion of the nozzle 960, the nozzle tip 962 directs verticallydownward by gravity.

[0610] With reference to FIGS. 61 to 70, an explanation will be given tothe guide mechanism 970. The guide mechanism 970 includes a first leverpivotally supported at one end thereof about a support member (firstshaft) 971 fixed to the notch 988 formed in the wall 953 of thecontainer holder 950, a second lever 974 pivotally supported about thesecond support member (second shaft) 973 attached to the other end ofthe first lever 972, and a third lever 975 supported at one end thereofabout the first shaft 971 together with the first lever 972. A preferredexample of a material for the support member and the second supportmember is SUS303. A preferred example of a material for the respectivelevers is an ABS resin.

[0611] As shown in FIGS. 61 and 69, the first lever 972, the secondlever 974 and the third lever 975 support the nozzle 960 as surroundingthe nozzle 960, and cover the inner cap 913 of the container.

[0612] The third lever 975 is located inward of the first lever 972. Thesecond lever 974 is located inward of the first lever 972. The thirdlever 975 has a stepped inner portion provided on a distal end portionthereof so as not to interfere with the second lever 974.

[0613] With reference to FIGS. 69, 70 and 74, the first lever 972 willbe described in further detail. The first lever 972 has elongatedthrough-holes 987 through which the first shaft 971 extends. Thethrough-holes 987 permit the first lever 972 to slightly movelongitudinally thereof.

[0614] The first lever 972 has stoppers 989 provided in positionslaterally spaced a small distance from the elongated through-holes 987.The stoppers 989 are brought into abutment against the rear face of thewall 953 for prevention of limitless pivotal movement of the first lever972 when the flow path connection mechanism is lifted as shown in FIG.70 (or FIG. 61).

[0615] The third lever 975 is supported by the first shaft 971 inward ofthe first lever 972. The third lever 975 has projections 978, and thefirst lever 972 has elongated through-holes 979 in which the projections978 are fitted, so that the third lever 975 is prevented fromlimitlessly moving apart from the first lever 972. Therefore, the thirdlever 975 is permitted to move relative to the first lever 972 within anangular range such that the projections 978 are movable within theelongated through-holes 979.

[0616] A middle portion 990 (FIG. 69) extending widthwise between rightand left portions of the first lever 972 has a planar shape.

[0617] With reference to FIGS. 69, 70 and 74, the second lever 974 willbe described in further detail. The second lever 974 is supported by thesecond shaft 973.

[0618] The second lever 974 is of a cup-like shape, and has an innerspace 980 (FIG. 74) for receiving the inner cap 913 therein. The nozzle960 supported by the second shaft 973 is fixed within the inner space980. With the inner cap 913 fitted in the inner space 980, the nozzletip 962 is inserted into the fluid passage hole 914 (see FIG. 61).

[0619] As shown in FIG. 70, the second lever 974 has cloud-shapedrecesses 982 provided in interior surfaces thereof to be brought intoengagement with container projections 922 provided on a peripheralsurface of the mouth portion 911 of the container. The recesses 982 havecloud-like curved contours so that the container projections 922 enterthe recesses 982 and advance further inward into the recesses 982 as thesecond lever 974 is pivoted about the second shaft 973. Thus, the secondlever 974 can be fixed to the large container 902 by the engagement withthe container projections 922.

[0620] The second lever 974 has an arm 983 for easy pivoting operationof the second lever 974.

[0621] With reference to FIGS. 69, 70 and 74, the third lever 975 willbe described in further detail. The third lever 975 has pressingportions 984 (see FIGS. 69 and 61) provided on the other end thereof forpressing the inner cap 913 in abutment against the inner cap 913, andsupport projections 985 (see FIGS. 69 and 70) for supporting the secondlever 974 with the first lever 972 lifted.

[0622] The pressing portions 984 are configured as projectionsprojecting inward so as to press the inner cap 913 which is to belocated inward of the third lever 975 (see FIG. 61). On the contrary,the support projections 985 project outward so as to support the secondlever 974 (see FIG. 69).

[0623] When the first lever 972 and the third lever 975 are moved towardeach other (the projections 978 move rightward within the elongatedthrough-holes 979), the positions of contacts between the supportprojections 985 and the second lever 974 vary little by little, and thesupport projections 985 support the second lever at the varying contactpositions. On the other hand, support projection abutment surfaces R(see FIG. 74) of the second lever 974 to be brought into abutmentagainst the support projections 985 are configured so that the secondlever 974 can be pivoted counterclockwise as the contact positions vary.

[0624] A middle portion 991 (FIG. 69) connecting right and left portionsof the third lever 975 has a planar shape. Further, the middle portion991 has an arcuate cut-away portion 992 so as not to interfere with themouth portion 911 of the container for prevention of collision againstthe mouth portion 911 when the third lever 975 is lowered (see FIG. 69).

[0625] A torsion spring 976 is fitted around the first shaft 971 forapplying a biasing force to the first lever 972 with respect to the rearwall 953 in order to keep the guide mechanism 970 in a lifted state withthe nozzle 960 not inserted in the fluid passage hole 914 (in a stateshown in FIG. 61). A torsion spring 977 is fitted around the first shaft971 for applying biasing forces to the first lever 972 and the thirdlever 975 away from each other with the guide mechanism 970 kept in thelifted state (FIGS. 75 to 77).

[0626] These two springs are configured so as not to interfere with eachother. That is, the torsion spring 976 has right and left coil portionswound around two separate portions of the first shaft 971, and a middleportion A extending outward from a coil axis to be detoured as shown inFIG. 75.

[0627] The torsion spring 977 has an ordinary straight coil shape, andis located inward of the detoured middle portion A of the torsion spring976. As shown in FIGS. 76 and 77, the middle portion A of the torsionspring 976 is supported in abutment against the middle portion 990 ofthe first lever 972, and end portions B of the torsion spring 976 arefixed in coil fixing portions 993 (FIG. 75) formed in the wall 953 (FIG.69). End portions C and D of the torsion spring 977 are supported inabutment against the middle potion 990 of the first lever 972 and themiddle portion 991 of the third lever 975, respectively.

[0628] Next, an explanation will be given to the guide mechanism. Asshown in FIGS. 70 to 73, the guide mechanism 970 is gradually pivotedfrom a free position (a lifted position), and the nozzle 960 is insertedinto the fluid passage hole 914 (FIG. 64). Then, the containerprojections 922 are brought into engagement with the cloud-shapedrecesses 982 of the second lever 974.

[0629]FIG. 70 illustrates a state where the guide mechanism 970 islocated in the free position. The first lever 972 is biased away by thebiasing force of the torsion spring 976 (FIG. 75) fitted around thefirst shaft 971, and kept still with the stoppers 989 in abutmentagainst the rear face of the wall 953 (FIG. 69).

[0630] At this time, the third lever 975 is biased away from the firstlever 972 by the biasing forces of the torsion spring 977 (FIG. 75)fitted around the first shaft 971, and kept still with the projections978 in abutment against ends of the elongated through-holes 979.

[0631] The second lever 974 is supported about the second shaft 973, andfurther supported by the support projections 985 with parts thereofabutting against the support projections 985 of the third lever 975 bygravity.

[0632] When the user pivots the second lever 974 in an arrow direction Xby holding the arm 983 of the second lever 974 in this state, thesupport projections 985 are kept abutting against the second lever 974for a while, so that the first lever 972, the second lever 974 and thethird lever 975 are unitarily pivoted.

[0633]FIG. 71 illustrates a state where the third lever 975 is pivotedto be oriented generally horizontally into contact with the inner cap913. When the third lever 975 is brought in contact with the inner cap913, the inner cap 913 is pressed by the pressing portions 984. Theinner cap 913 prevents further pivoting of the third lever 975.

[0634] Therefore, the first lever 972 starts pivoting against thebiasing forces of the torsion spring 977 acting on the first lever 972and the third lever 975, when a force is applied to the arm 983 of thesecond lever 974. That is, an angle defined between the first lever 972and the third lever 975 is reduced, so that the first lever 972 isoverlapped with the third lever 975. Finally, the first lever 972 ispivoted into abutment against the third lever 975 thereby to be orientedhorizontally.

[0635] When the angle defined between the first lever 972 and the thirdlever 975 is reduced, distances between the support projections 985 andthe second shaft 973 are reduced, and the positions of the contactsbetween the second lever 974 and the support projections 985 vary alongthe support projection abutment surfaces R shown in FIG. 74. Thus, thesecond lever 974 is permitted to pivot about the second shaft 973 as thecontact positions vary.

[0636] In the state shown in FIG. 71, the pivoting of the first lever972 about the first shaft 971 is associated with the pivoting of thesecond lever 974 about the second shaft 973.

[0637] Shortly after the reduction in the angle defined between thefirst lever 972 and the third lever 975 is started, the nozzle tip 962(FIG. 74) is brought into contact with the inner cap 913. Since thenozzle tip 962 is tapered, the nozzle 960 is guided by the taperednozzle tip thereof to be inserted into the fluid passage hole 914 (FIG.64).

[0638] Since the first lever 972 is supported about the first shaft 971extending through the elongated through-holes 987, the first lever 972has a freedom of longitudinal movement (longitudinal play). This freedompermits the nozzle 960 to be smoothly inserted into the fluid passagehole 914.

[0639]FIG. 72 illustrates a state where the first lever 972 is pivotedto be oriented generally horizontally in abutment against the thirdlever 975. In this state, the nozzle 960 is completely inserted into thefluid passage hole 914.

[0640] With the first lever 972 abutting against the third lever 975,the first lever 972 is prevented from being further pivoted. The supportprojections 985 and the second shaft 973 are located in the closestrelation, and the second lever 974 is brought out of abutment againstthe support projections 985.

[0641] Thereafter, only the pivoting of the second lever 974 about thesecond shaft 973 is permitted, whereby the container projections 922enter the cloud-shaped recesses 982 of the second lever 974.

[0642]FIG. 73 illustrates a final state where the container projections922 are fixed in the cloud-shaped recesses 982 of the second lever 974.The second lever 974 is further pivoted about the second shaft 973.Then, the container projections 922 are brought into abutment againstthe innermost portions of the cloud-shaped recesses 982, and fixed inthis state (FIG. 74).

[0643] Thus, the nozzle 960 is inserted into the fluid passage hole 914by the guide mechanism 970. As a result, the flow path tube 916 in thecontainer (FIG. 64), the fluid passage hole 914 of the inner cap 913 andthe nozzle 960 are connected to one another, thereby establishing a flowpath to the blood analyzer body 1.

[0644] It is desirable that the torsion spring 977 is provided forapplying the biasing forces to the first lever 972 and the third lever975 away from each other as in this embodiment. However, thisarrangement is not necessarily required for the unitary pivoting of thefirst lever 972, the second lever 974 and the third lever 975 in thestate shown in FIG. 70, because the third lever 975 is brought away fromthe first lever 972 by gravity.

[0645] Relationship Between Container Housing Unit, Container Holder andFluid Path Connection Mechanism

[0646] As shown in FIG. 61, the container housing unit 100 isaccommodated in a predetermined position of the container holder 950,whereby the mouth portions 913 of the large containers 902, 903 and themouth portion 932 of the small container 904 are properly positioned.The guide mechanisms 970 of the flow path connection mechanisms areprovided in association with the mouth portions 913, 932. Therefore, theuser can insert the nozzles 960 into the fluid passage holes 914, 935 ofthe inner caps 913, 934 of the containers simply by setting thecontainer housing unit 100 in the container holder 950 and pivoting theguide mechanisms 970.

What is claimed is:
 1. An automatic sample analyzer comprising: apipette; a pipette driving device which moves the pipette to a samplevessel present in a predetermined position to cause the pipette to suckup a sample from the sample vessel, and then moves the pipette to anopen vessel provided in another predetermined position to cause thepipette to discharge the sample into the open vessel; and an analyzingsection for analyzing the discharged sample; the pipette driving devicecomprising a vertically movable main arm and an elongated guide armcantilevered by the main arm and extending horizontally; the guide armhaving a smaller flexural rigidity than the main arm; wherein the mainarm vertically moves the pipette when the sample is to be sucked up fromthe sample vessel, and the guide arm guides the pipette to the openvessel and then vertically moves the pipette when the sample is to bedischarged into the open vessel.
 2. An automatic sample analyzer as setforth in claim 1, wherein the pipette driving device further comprises:a pipette holder for holding the pipette; a pipette horizontally drivingsection supporting the pipette holder in a vertically slidable mannerfor horizontally moving the pipette holder; and a pipette verticallydriving section for vertically moving the main arm and the guide arm;wherein the pipette holder is fastened to the main arm in a horizontallydisengageable manner, and the pipette holder is vertically moved by themain arm when being fastened to the main arm, and is vertically moved inengagement with the guide arm when being disengaged from the main arm.3. An automatic sample analyzer as set forth in claim 2, wherein thepipette holder has a projection, and the main arm has a recess to behorizontally brought into engagement with the projection.
 4. Anautomatic sample analyzer as set forth in claim 2, wherein the pipetteholder comprises a roller which is movable along the guide arm inengagement with the guide arm.
 5. An automatic sample analyzer as setforth in claim 2, wherein the pipette horizontally driving sectioncomprises a pipette vertically sliding section which supports thepipette holder in a vertically slidable manner.
 6. An automatic sampleanalyzer as set forth in claim 2, further comprising a quantifying pumpconnected to the pipette for sucking the sample from the sample vesselafter the pipette holder is lowered by the main arm, and discharging thesample after the pipette holder is moved apart from the main arm.
 7. Anautomatic sample analyzer as set forth in claim 1, wherein the samplevessel is a capped sample vessel.
 8. An automatic sample analyzer as setforth in claim 2, wherein the pipette vertically driving sectioncomprises a stepping motor as a drive source, wherein a driving electriccurrent to be supplied to the stepping motor for vertically moving thepipette holder is greater when the pipette holder is moved in engagementwith the main arm than when the pipette holder is moved in engagementwith the guide arm.
 9. A pipette driving device comprising: a pipetteholder for holding a pipette; a pipette horizontally driving sectionsupporting the pipette holder in a vertically slidable manner forhorizontally moving the pipette holder; a main arm to which the pipetteholder is fastened in a horizontally disengageable manner; a guide armhorizontally extending from the main arm; and a pipette verticallydriving section for vertically moving the main arm and the guide arm;wherein the pipette holder is vertically moved by the main arm whenbeing fastened to the main arm, and vertically moved in engagement withthe guide arm when being disengaged from the main arm.
 10. A pipettestopping device for a pipette driving device, which comprises: a pipettevertically sliding section having a pipette holder for holding a pipetteand a support member supporting the pipette holder in a verticallyslidable manner; a pipette horizontally driving section to which thepipette vertically sliding section is attached in a replaceable manner;and a stopper member to be attached to the pipette vertically slidingsection for prevention of vertical sliding of the pipette when thepipette vertically sliding section is replaced.
 11. A sample vesselsetting device comprising: a sample rack having an inner diametergreater than an outer diameter of a sample vessel for holding a lowerportion of the sample vessel; and first and second resilient members forresiliently holding a side face of the sample vessel from opposite sidesto support the sample vessel coaxially with the sample rack.
 12. Asample rack locking device comprising: a sample rack movably supportedfor holding a sample vessel; and a lock member for mechanicallypreventing movement of the sample rack in association with a pipetteinserting operation when a pipette is inserted into the sample vesselheld by the sample rack.
 13. A negative pressure pump comprising: an airpump having an air inlet and an air outlet; an enclosure cover havingfirst and second through-holes and covering the air pump; a suction tubeextending from the outside of the enclosure cover to be connected to theair inlet through the first through-hole; and a silencing exhaust tubeconnected to the second through-hole and extending to the outside.
 14. Aliquid mixing vessel comprising: a cylindrical interior surface; aninterior bottom; and a liquid supply port provided in the vicinity of anupper end thereof for supplying a liquid to the bottom along theinterior surface; the liquid mixing vessel being composed of achemically resistant resin with the interior surface thereof roughened.15. A liquid suction tube comprising an elongated pipe, the pipe havinga liquid flow path extending therein parallel to an axis thereof and agroove provided in an outer surface thereof as extending longitudinallythereof.
 16. A pipette cleaning device comprising: a cleaner body havinga pipette through-path through which a pipette is inserted from an inletto an outlet thereof; the pipette through-path comprising a pipetteguide hole formed in an inlet portion thereof coaxially therewith and apipette cleaning hole formed in an outlet portion thereof coaxiallytherewith; the pipette cleaning hole having first, second and thirdopenings formed in an interior surface thereof in this order from theinlet to the outlet; the cleaner body comprising a vent path forcommunication between the first opening and the atmosphere, a cleaningliquid supply path communicating with the third opening, and a cleaningliquid drain path communicating with the second opening.
 17. A liquidsuction device comprising: a pipette having a lateral suction portprovided in the vicinity of a tip thereof; a sucking section for suckinga liquid through the pipette; and a cleaner for cleaning the pipette;the cleaner comprising a through-path through which the pipette isinserted, a cleaning liquid supply path communicating with thethrough-path for supplying a cleaning liquid, and a cleaning liquiddrain path communicating with the through-path for draining the cleaningliquid; wherein the cleaner is positioned so that an angle definedbetween an axis of the lateral suction port of the pipette and an axisof an inlet of the cleaning liquid drain path is greater than 90 degreesas viewed axially of the pipette.
 18. An automatic sample analyzeroperable in a plurality of analysis modes, the automatic sample analyzercomprising: an analysis mode selection button for selecting the analysismodes; a start button for outputting a command for starting an analyticoperation in the selected analysis mode; a color changing section forchanging a color of the start button; a color change controlling sectionfor controlling the color changing section for changing the color of thestart button according to the selected analysis mode; and an analyzingsection for analyzing a sample upon reception of the command from thestart button.
 19. An automatic sample analyzer comprising: an orificethrough which a sample liquid passes; a DC power supply; a constantelectric current circuit for supplying a constant electric current tothe sample liquid passing through the orifice from the DC power supply;a resistance-type detecting section for detecting a change in impedanceof the sample liquid passing through the orifice; and an analyzingsection for analyzing components of the sample liquid on the basis ofthe detected impedance change; wherein the DC power supply comprises aCockcroft power supply.
 20. A container which is a first container usedwith second and third containers, comprising: a first body forcontaining liquid therein, first neck and shoulder portions formed on aupper portion of the first body, the first neck portion having a mouthcommunicating inside the first body, and a first projection projectingfrom the first neck portion to the first shoulder portion, wherein thesecond container is formed in the same configuration as the firstcontainer and includes a second body, second neck and shoulder portionsand a second projection which correspond to the first container, thethird container includes a third body for containing liquid therein, thethird body having two opposite recesses formed on an outside thereof,and a mouth portion and a third shoulder portion which are formed on anupper portion of the third body, the mouth portion having a mouthcommunicating inside the third body, and the first container cooperateswith the second container to hold the third container on the first andsecond shoulder portions and fix the third container by engaging thefirst and second projections to the opposite recesses and the thirdshoulder portion.
 21. A container as set forth in claim 20, wherein thefirst projection includes upper and lower portions so that the lowerportion is fitted into one of the two opposite recesses and the upperportion overlies the third shoulder.
 22. A container as set forth inclaim 20 further comprising an inner cap fitted in the mouth of thefirst container and an inner suction tube, wherein the inner cap has afirst through hole for communicating with the tube and a second throughhole for releasing air from the first body, the tube being connectedwith the first through hole and extending to an inner bottom of thefirst body.
 23. A container which is a third container used with firstand second containers, comprising: a third body for containing liquidtherein, the third body having two opposite recesses formed on anoutside thereof, and a mouth portion and a third shoulder portion whichare formed on an upper portion of the third body, the mouth portionhaving a mouth communicating inside the third body wherein the firstcontainer includes a first body for containing liquid therein, firstneck and shoulder portions on a upper portion of the first body, thefirst neck portion having a mouth communicating inside the first body,and a first projection projecting from the first neck portion to thefirst shoulder portion, the second container is formed in the sameconfiguration as the first container and includes a second body, secondneck and shoulder portions and a second projection which correspond tothe first container, and the first container cooperates with the secondcontainer to hold the third container on the first and second shoulderportions and fix the third container by engaging the first and secondprojections to the opposite recesses and the third shoulder portion. 24.A container as set forth in claim 23 further comprising an inner capfitted in the mouth of the third container and an inner suction tube,wherein the inner cap has a first through hole for communicating withthe tube and a second through hole for releasing air from the thirdbody, the tube being connected with the first through hole and extendingto a inner bottom of the third body.
 25. A flow path connectionmechanism comprising: a lever pivotally mounted on a supporting member;and a nozzle pivotally mounted on the lever, the nozzle having proximaland distal ends, wherein the proximal end is connected with an outersuction tube and the distal end is connected with a mouth of a containerwhen the lever pivots.
 26. A flow path connection mechanism as set forthin claim 25, in which the lever includes first, second and third levers,the first and third lever being pivotally mounted on the supportingmember, the second lever and the nozzle being pivotally mounted on thefirst lever, wherein when the first, second and third levers pivot inthe same direction, the first lever leads the distal end of the nozzleto enter the mouth of the container and the second and third leversengage the container so that the nozzle keeps a connection with themouth.
 27. A flow path connection mechanism as set forth in claim 25further comprising a bias member for biasing the lever so that the leverleaves the mouth.
 28. A container as set forth in claim 20, wherein thefirst body has a substantially rectangular shape.
 29. A container as setforth in claim 23, wherein the third body has a substantially flatbottom.